BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt announced Wednesday his support for the Cabinet’s recent decision to extend the deadline for closing the Naameh landfill by three months.
The announcement came after a meeting he held at his residence in Beirut's Clemenceau neighborhood, where the ministers of environment and finance explained the new plan to officials from the area of the landfill.
Walid Aridi, the head of the coalition of municipalities concerned with the matter, also attended the meeting, and spoke afterwards to announce his support to the new plan.
Jumblatt, who enjoys wide popularity and influence in the area, had previously said he would not accept any extension to the landfill.
Asked about this change in the stance towards the issue, the Druze leader said: “The pressure by political parties and civil society were the reasons we reached this clear plan,” he said, implying that his previous position was to ensure the Cabinet makes the best possible decision.
The agreed-upon plan includes postponing the deadline for Naameh landfill’s closure to April 17, with the possibility of another 3-month extension if necessary.
Created as a 6-year project in 1997, the landfill has now been running for 17 years, exceeding its design capacity by a factor of five and frustrating the residents of the area with its odors and gas emissions.
Jumblatt also said he was glad to see that the new strategy included giving financial motives to the residents of Naameh.
Leaving the meeting, Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk explained that all the officials were understanding, and were convinced with the new plan.
“It is a national plan that respects high environmental standards, and truly aims to organize the waste management sector through decentralization,” Machnouk said.
Aridi, who said most of the area’s residents would be happy to know that the decision was fair, added that a local committee will be formed to follow up on the punctual implementation of the plan.
The meeting was also attended by MP Talal Arslan, the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party and Jumblatt rival who is also influential in the area.
Arslan did not make a statement after the meeting.
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