"The environment minister is the direct authority responsible for the catastrophic conditions that we are now witnessing in terms of the garbage crisis," activist Imad Bazzi said.
In an interview with LBCI’s Nharkom Said TV show, Bazzi called on citizens to join the protest that is being organized for Saturday, August 8 in Martyrs Square to demand sustainable, eco-friendly solutions.
"Citizens are now partaking in movements organized by activists -"by the people, for the people"- in a bid to stand against the rampant corruption that has caused garbage to flood the streets of Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
"Protesters are not politically affiliated with any party, not the March 8 camp nor the March 14 coalition, but are mostly concerned with the well-being of the nation," Bazzi said, hailing the efforts exerted by some municipalities including Baabda and Khyam that have taken the initiative to separate waste at the source as part of a sustainable solution.
"We are calling on the government to adopt sustainable solutions that will not harm the environment. We are also demanding that all those responsible for the current situation be held accountable," Bazzi stressed.
For her part, activist Alexandra Hajj expressed her concerns over the status of drinkable water in Lebanon, emphasizing that the quantity of lead in water reserves exceeds the allowed level.
"A UNDP study has proven that lead levels are now at 4% when the threshold stands at 0.04%... This makes the water carcinogenic and citizens are not aware of that."
"The Health Ministry should sound the alarm since the food products and byproducts we consume are also contaminated with toxic water, pesticides and now, garbage," Hajj added.
"Saturday is our last chance to tell the government to heed our calls, to have policies that safeguard what is left of our environment. It is imperative that people join the protest or otherwise live with the repercussions of corruption and garbage forever," Bazzi and Hajj stressed.
Lebanon has been grappling with a waste crisis following the July 17 closure of the Naameh landfill. The cabinet pledged last year that the said landfill would be shut down and an alternative site would be found, however failed to live up to its promises.
The piles of garbage rotting in the summer heat triggered nationwide outrage and serious health warnings.
To get rid of waste, frustrated residents set fire to dumpsters and trash containers, further polluting the hot and humid air.
The mess is a stark reminder of the cabinet crisis afflicting Lebanon, where politicians divided by local and regional crises have even failed to agree on where to dump the capital city's rubbish.