Gemayel Announces 'Lebanese Corruption Observatory', Urges Instant Implementation of Waste Plan
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
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.
16 September 2015, 05:36
40
@redshield. The Book of FPM is partisan. It is talking about corruption of the rival party and therefore is by definition biased. Now there are many cases of corruption of FPM officials and notably Gebran Bassil. The best way to go is indeed to file lawsuits with the judiciary and let the court does an unbiased investigation ; if this is possible in this country!
16 September 2015, 08:14
24
Does this include his father, Mr. 8%?
It is not only the others but he should first start by cleaning infront of his doorstep.
16 September 2015, 16:01
10
Bravo Sami Gamayel - lets investigate corruption.
You should insist that the first case to be heard is none other than the Puma Helicopter scandal, or was that before your time?
16 September 2015, 16:03
20
Why Was the Puma Deal a Scandal
Friday, September 27, 2002 5:10 PM
Lebanon and France concluded a deal in 1983 under which six French-made Puma helicopters were to be provided to the Lebanese air force at a total cost of 184 million francs, a rough equivalent of $80 million at the time.
The deal was signed in Beirut in July of that year by Lebanese Defense Minister Issam Khoury and the Societe Francaise de Vente et Financement de Materiels Terrestres et Maritimes (SOFRANTEM).
SOFRANTEM was set up at the time to act as an intermediary between the Lebanese and French governments in order to bypass commission-seeking local dealers in the two countries and to give the deal a country-to-country veneer.
The deal stipulated for six Puma helicopters manufactured by France's Aerospatiale firm be made available to Lebanon at 27 million francs apiece with a total of 25 million francs for spare parts. France granted Lebanon an 850 million franc loan to conclude the deal.
16 September 2015, 16:04
10
But the Lebanese government found out that the Pumas it received were manufactured in Romania rather than France and sold. Consequently, the two governments launched separate probes to determine how the trick was carried out and how much money was involved in kickbacks.
Neither probe was conclusive and the unsettled French loan accumulated 194 million extra francs in interest. The resulting money quarrel between the two countries has not been settled yet although it had lost much of its steam after Prime Minister Hariri took office in 1992.
Gemayel has denied all along that he had anything to do with the Puma deal.
Article from naharnet
16 September 2015, 18:38
01
Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. Where is the capacity, the willingness or the ability to act????? Paralyzed under the grip of Hezbollah hidden inside the Aouni glove.
