6 ministers storm out Lebanese Cabinet amid trash crisis

“I was never in this for a position in government, I am one of you”.

At least 20 people were injured Sunday in Beirut during a second day of clashes between police and protesters angry about the Lebanese government’s failure to remove rubbish from streets, medics said.

What looked at the beginning as a peaceful demonstration turned out violent after police tried to disperse the demonstrators with clubs and water cannons as some angry protestors were attempting to break through barbed wire in Riad Solh Square leading to the government’s headquarters.

In that context, calls for the government’s resignation have divided even some protesters, who fear a political void. One of the most visible and odiferous manifestations of this breakdown in governance is the mounds of uncollected garbage that form little mountains of trash in Beirut and other cities.

These politicians see proof of this in the fact that at the beginning of the “You Stink” protests, Lebanese citizens critical of the government’s inability to deal with trash were holding up signs to this effect.

Mountains of garbage appeared in the streets, alongside homes, schools and hospitals. Lebanon’s health minister has warned of a coming environmental catastrophe as some have started dumping trash in valleys, rivers and near the sea. Rubbish collection has resumed in some areas, but there has been no decision on a permanent solution. “The will of the people will eventually succeed no matter how long it takes”. Due to chronic infighting, Lebanon has been without a president for more than a year. Parliament has extended its own term twice and has not convened because lawmakers differ on whether they can continue working before voting for a president.

The result has been gridlock in government, and a very angry public.

More than 400 people were injured in Sunday’s violence, including 59 who were hospitalized, the Lebanese Red Cross said Monday.

Salam’s threat to resign has fueled concern of a bigger crisis. “So both (the federal government) has to vary or it has to grow to be extra environment friendly and extra equitable”.

“The infuriating thing is it that the government knew the exact hour the landfill would expire”. “It is the story of the political garbage in the country”.

Some of the protest organizers suggested that radical elements had infiltrated their peaceful protest for political gains.

He described as excessive the force used against protesters on Saturday and said those responsible would be held to account.

A government statement released after the walkout said tenders announced on Monday to award contracts for waste disposal to private companies had “included high costs”, and had therefore been rejected. He added that he hoped the announcement would be a “happy ending” to the problem.

“Infiltrators hijack the You Stink revolution”, said the An-Nahar newspaper.

“They’re not among us… they’re a very small group of troublemakers”, said Joey Ayoub, who sits on You Stink’s organising committee.

Lebanon Speaker Nabih Berri Says People Have the Right to Yell but no alternative for cabinet amid presidential vacuum.

The list had drawn fire from activists who said the firms were tied to political figures and were seeking exorbitant prices.

On Sunday Prime Minister Tammam Salam threatened to resign as public discontent brought thousands into the streets.