BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea Friday warned businessman Pierre Fattoush, brother of MP Nicolas Fattoush, against building a cement plant in the eastern city of Zahle, saying the factory would pose a danger to public health.
“The plant will undoubtedly pose a significant threat to the city and its environs both at the environmental and health levels with the incidence of cancer and pulmonary diseases possibly to increase,” Geagea told a news conference.
“The entry of a large number of trucks each day could also lead to pollution in the city,” he stressed.
Geagea threw his weight behind Zahle residents who have voiced their opposition to the construction of the plant.
The LF leader urged Industry Minister Hussein Hajj Hasan to withdraw the license for building the plant.
“Pierre Fattoush’s project has adverse health effects and Zahle residents are against it and we cannot but stand with them.”
“We have heard threats,” Geagea said. “I hope those issuing threats would stop doing so and remain within the law.”
Less than two weeks ago, more than a dozen gunmen loyal to Pierre Fattoush assaulted an Al-Jadeed reporter and a cameraman as they were wrapping up a report about the controversial plant.
The project has been criticized by Zahle residents as well as local officials, including former Zahle MP Elias Skaff, Nicolas Fattoush's key political foe.
Geagea said the LF has formed a “legal team” to challenge the plant's construction, adding that a civil body drawn from locals from Zahle would also be established to “to initiate popular action.”
“We will not stop until the project stops and I will hold contacts to facilitate halting the project,” Geagea promised.
No comments:
Post a Comment