Gemayel Announces 'Lebanese Corruption Observatory', Urges Instant Implementation of Waste Plan
Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel announced Tuesday the formation of the Lebanese Corruption Observatory to tackle all corruption files in the country, as he called for the “immediate implementation” of an emergency waste management plan devised by the agriculture minister and a team of experts.
“The issue of corruption in Lebanon is one of the main issues and citizens have the right to know how their money is being spent,” said Gemayel at a press conference.
He called on all Lebanese to communicate with the observatory via Internet to “activate the work groups that monitor corruption files.”
Gemayel noted that the unprecedented garbage crisis was the “main motive” behind the creation of the watchdog.
“It is a scandal that clearly reflects itself in the numbers and in the repercussions that have resulted from this file,” he said.
“The first step for the Lebanese Corruption Observatory, which is comprised of Lebanese from all sects and parties, will be filing a direct lawsuit against those responsible for corruption,” Gemayel added.
Referring to a lawsuit he had recently filed in connection with the garbage crisis, the young lawmaker noted that “the lawsuit over the issue of waste management is now in the hands of the state prosecutor,” hoping it will be “a good start for all Lebanese.”
He noted, however, that it is not “directed against certain individuals, but rather against all culprits in the garbage scandal.”
“The relevant authority is the Lebanese judiciary and the ball is in its court. The judiciary must prove to the Lebanese that it is the proper place for accountability, not the streets,” Gemayel added.
“The judiciary must shoulder its responsibilities and file charges against every wrongdoer,” he stressed.
He also called on Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb to “start implementing the waste plan immediately,” warning that “if the rain season comes and the garbage is still on the streets, we will witness an unprecedented health disaster.”
On Monday, Shehayyeb stressed that only partnership among all Lebanese would guarantee the success of the committee tasked with resolving the two-month long waste crisis.
Shehayyeb's plan to solve the two-month trash crisis calls for reopening the Naameh landfill, which was closed in mid-July, for seven days to dump the garbage that accumulated in random sites in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
It also envisions converting two existing dumps, in the northern Akkar area of Srar and the eastern border area of al-Masnaa, into sanitary landfills capable of receiving trash for more than a year.
After he announced his plan last week, the civil society and local residents of Akkar, Naameh, Majdal Anjar, and Burj Hammoud protested against the step.
Y.R.
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