Jreij Says Waste Treatment Crisis to Reach a Breakthrough, Cabinet to Endorse Bill Monday

Information Minister Ramzi Jreij expressed optimism on Sunday that ministers will be able to resolve the controversy over the treatment of solid waste, pointing out a breakthrough will be reached.

“The dispute was only related to one detail, which in my opinion will be resolved as a cabinet session will be held on Monday,” Jreij said in comments published in the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah newspaper.

He stressed that the ministers shouldn't be at loggerheads as any dispute might lead to a paralysis at the cabinet amid the absence of a head of state, which is “dangerous.”

Salam had vowed, following a five-hour heated cabinet meeting, not to hold more sessions before consensus was reached on a waste treatment plan.

The Kataeb ministers voiced their objection to several aspects of the plan to treat solid waste despite an agreement reached with Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq over the matter.

The plan divides Lebanon into five blocs and requests the Council of Development and Reconstruction to launch tenders to sign contracts with companies to collect and treat solid waste in several areas.

The Kataeb party said the plan gives the companies too much power to decide the location of landfills. Its representatives in the cabinet are seeking to give the government the upper hand in that regard.

The failure to strike a deal on the treatment of waste threatens to flood streets with trash.

On January 17, the contract with Sukleen, which is the company responsible for collecting dumps, expires.

According to a previous government decision, the authorities should also close by that date the Naameh landfill that lies in the Shouf district south of Beirut.

There is as well a dispute among cabinet members on the closure of the dump.