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Lebanon rubbish crisis: Protesters return to streets Lebanon rubbish crisis: Cabinet agrees to resume waste disposal
(about 4 hours later)
Protesters have returned to the streets of the Lebanese capital Beirut, angered over the country's continued political paralysis and lack of basic services. The Lebanese government has agreed to resume waste disposal after weeks of protests over piles of rubbish left in the streets of the capital Beirut.
One group pelted eggs at vehicles of politicians heading to talks aimed at breaking political deadlock. Ministers decided in an emergency meeting to give local municipalities the authority to treat local waste.
They chanted "thieves, thieves, get out!" outside the parliament building.
Protests triggered by rotting rubbish in Beirut quickly grew into a wider attack on the perceived corruption and incompetence of politicians.Protests triggered by rotting rubbish in Beirut quickly grew into a wider attack on the perceived corruption and incompetence of politicians.
Security was heightened on Wednesday in anticipation of the protests, with metal barricades erected outside parliament and armoured vehicles lining the streets. Demonstrators earlier pelted eggs at politicians' cars outside parliament.
'Go home' Breaking the deadlock, Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayeb approved on Wednesday a deal that devolves waste management duties to municipalities - a central demand of the protesters - and authorises the opening of two new landfills.
No progress was reported at a "national dialogue" meeting of the main parties to discuss a stalemate that has frozen government institutions for months. Another meeting is scheduled for a week's time. The rubbish crisis began after the country's largest landfill in Naameh, south of Beirut, shut down in July with no ready alternative. The government has been unable to agree on another site until now.
An emergency cabinet meeting was also due to discuss the growing rubbish crisis, which began after the country's largest landfill shut down in July with no ready alternative. The government has so far failed to agree on how to resolve the situation. As part of Wednesday's agreement, Naameh landfill will also be temporarily reopened to dispose of any rubbish that remains there.
But political parties meeting at an earlier "national dialogue" session could not come to agreement on how to elect a new president. The post has been vacant since May 2014, contributing to the months-long political paralysis. Another meeting was scheduled for next week.
Protesters gathered outside the parliament building as politicians arrived for the meeting, some of them pelting eggs at their vehicles shouting "thieves, thieves, get out!"
Security was heightened in anticipation of the protests, with metal barricades erected outside parliament and armoured vehicles lining the streets.
Outside the parliament building, activists pinned a large banner onto barbed wire showing the photos of the 128 members of parliament with the words in Arabic: "You have failed in everything...Go home."Outside the parliament building, activists pinned a large banner onto barbed wire showing the photos of the 128 members of parliament with the words in Arabic: "You have failed in everything...Go home."
Demonstrators also blockaded a major coastal road leading into Beirut.Demonstrators also blockaded a major coastal road leading into Beirut.
Rubbish has been piling up on the capital's streets since the country's largest landfill shut down in July with no ready alternative.
Thousands of people have joined the "You Stink" campaign in recent weeks, blaming political paralysis and corruption for the government's failure to resolve the rubbish crisis.Thousands of people have joined the "You Stink" campaign in recent weeks, blaming political paralysis and corruption for the government's failure to resolve the rubbish crisis.
"This government is afraid of its people, closing the roads to a constitutional institution - the parliament. We should be protesting today in front of the parliament, peacefully," campaign founder Marwan Maalouf told New TV.
A large anti-government protest was due later on Wednesday evening.
Lebanon has been without a president for more than a year, while members of parliament have extended their own terms until 2017 after failing to agree on a law on fresh elections.Lebanon has been without a president for more than a year, while members of parliament have extended their own terms until 2017 after failing to agree on a law on fresh elections.
The conflict in neighbouring Syria has also exacerbated political and sectarian divisions, and resulted in the arrival of 1.1 million refugees, putting a strain on the economy and public services.The conflict in neighbouring Syria has also exacerbated political and sectarian divisions, and resulted in the arrival of 1.1 million refugees, putting a strain on the economy and public services.