The media bureau of Environment Minister Mohammad al-Mashnouq declared Wednesday that the United Nations General Assembly adopted on Tuesday night a new resolution that condemns Israel and emphasizes a previous resolution that calls on Israel to assume responsibility and compensate Lebanon with an amount of USD 856,4 million, for the oil spill on the Lebanese shores.
The resolution passed with 171 countries voting in favor agsint 6 votes against, including Australia, Canada, Israel, United States and Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and three abstention, including Cameroon, Tonga and New Papua Guinea.
On 13 and15 July 2006, the Israeli air force had shelled two reservoirs near the Jiyeh power plant, containing 10,000 cubic meters and 15,000 cubic meters of heavy fuel oil, during an Israeli siege that prevented at that time any attempt to put out the flames, causing the fire to expand and reach other reservoirs. The incident is believed to have caused the burning of at least 60,000 cubic meters of fuel oil, while around 15,000 cubic meters were said to have leaked into the sea.
The Israeli siege also prevented any swift intervention to contain the leak, causing an environmental disaster that spilled over at least 150 kilometers of the Lebanese coast.
Post-disaster studies, conducted by the concerned United Nations organizations and other international organizations, documented the effects of the disaster on public health, the environmental systems, tourism and the livelihood of the fishermen, given that the oil spill harmed the aquatic animals.