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Police moves to break up protests over garbage crisis in Lebanese capital

23 August 2015 03:24 (UTC +04:00)

On Saturday, police used tear gas and water cannon against the protesters, who were chanting slogans against government officials and parliament members, calling on them to resign.

The angry protester demand that the government take immediate measures to gather the garbage that has been accumulating on the capital’s streets over the past month.

Beirut’s main landfill has been closed down, leaving the city and its suburbs without a solution to the escalating problem. Garbage from Beirut used to be disposed at the Naameh landfill in the mountainous region southeast of the capital.

Since its closure, garbage collectors have stopped taking the garbage away, saying they have no place to dispose it.

The stench of uncollected garbage has filled the streets of Beirut, prompting the country’s Health Ministry to warn that the country will be on the brink of a “major health disaster” if the problem is not quickly resolved.

Garbage has been left to rot on the streets in the Lebanese capital since July 17.