Activists in Lebanon have occupied the environment ministry, in the latest “You Stink” protest over rotting rubbish in the capital, Beirut.
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“We are here to express our opinion peacefully and we will not leave until the minister resigns”, said protester Lucien Bourjeily from inside the building.
“They did not fulfill our demands. We are asking for the resignation of the minister and won’t leave until that happens”.
Rubbish has been piling up on the streets of Beirut since the country’s largest landfill shut down in July with no ready alternative.
But it has evolved into an outlet for deep-seated frustrations over Lebanon’s crumbling infrastructure and stagnant political class.
Following a huge protest in downtown Beirut on Saturday, protesters issued several demands including the minister’s resignation, threatening to escalate action if he does not. “Mashnuq, get out!” According to one protester affiliated with the You Stink! campaign, there are more “surprises” to be expected.
Lebanese anti-government protesters sitting cross-legged on the…
He said additional measures could yet be announced later Tuesday.
Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to protest the failure to solve the rubbish crisis, as well as what they call the government’s failure to providing basic services such as electricity and water, and ongoing political corruption.
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An employee at the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Mashnuq remained in his office, though most of the employees had left. Riot police kept the protesters from going inside to join the others.
