Lebanese protest waste problem

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BEIRUT Feb 6 (KUNA) -- Activists from civil societies on Saturday rallied in front of the Lebanese Premiership in downtown Beirut protesting a State decision to dispatch accumulating tons of uncollected garbage abroad.The protestors spoke against the decision itself as well as reports about a Government plan to levy more taxes to cover high cost of "exporting the trash." Lebanese have been embroiled in the crisis of piling up waste unprecedented since gloomy years of the (1975-1990) civil war. Due to shut-down of a major dumping location in Naameh south of Beirut following locals' protests fearing for their health garbage has been piling up at public places in residential districts in the capital and several towns.A huge amount of the waste has been dumped along banks of Beirut River a highly polluted river snaking through some of the capital areas.Official National News Agency NNA said the protestors chanted for "ouster of the political class" holding the officials responsible for the major problem.The Government is expected to sign a contract with a company next week for dispatching the tons of waste to a country abroad. (end) ayb.rk