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BEIRUT — Lebanon’s firefighting helicopters have been grounded due to a combination of technical issues and financial constraints, leaving the country vulnerable to rampant wildfires. Three of Lebanon’s Sikorsky firefighting helicopters have been out of commission for several years. The primary reason for this grounding is the lack of maintenance and the inability to secure necessary replacement parts. These helicopters, …

BEIRUT — In a decisive move to tackle Lebanon’s ongoing waste crisis, the Cabinet has approved a comprehensive plan to establish 25 sanitary landfills and three waste incinerators, one of which will be located in Beirut. The plan, aimed at addressing the country’s waste management issues in the medium to long term, was announced by Environment Minister Fadi Jreissati following …

BEIRUT — Lebanon is facing the resurgence of its waste crisis as the Costa Brava landfill, one of the country’s primary waste disposal sites, has been effectively blocked. This development threatens to plunge Beirut and Mount Lebanon back into the chaotic scenes of uncollected garbage that marked previous crises. The Costa Brava landfill, located near Rafik Hariri International Airport, was …

In 2019, Christian religious leaders in Beirut publicly opposed the government’s plans to build a waste incinerator in the city. They voiced their concerns over the potential health and environmental risks associated with incineration, urging the government to explore alternative solutions to the capital’s growing waste management crisis. The officials called for a comprehensive approach that includes better waste sorting …

In July 2019, the Beirut Municipality faced significant public backlash over its proposed waste incinerator project. Hundreds of protesters, joined by MPs Paula Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankash, gathered outside the municipal building, demanding a halt to the incinerator plans. The protestors expressed concerns over the potential health and environmental risks, citing a lack of comprehensive environmental impact studies …

On July 4, 2019, hundreds of activists gathered in front of the Beirut Municipality to protest against a proposed waste incinerator project. The protest was supported by MPs Paula Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankash, who joined the demonstrators in voicing their concerns about the potential environmental and health risks associated with the incinerator. The protesters demanded a comprehensive environmental …

In 2019, Lebanon’s Environment Minister, Fadi Jreissati, announced that he had requested the European Union to oversee and monitor the country’s waste incineration efforts. Jreissati’s request aimed to address concerns regarding Lebanon’s capacity to effectively manage and regulate waste incineration technology, which produces potentially toxic emissions. He emphasized the need for a credible and competent oversight body to ensure the …

This demonstration was part of a larger movement involving various civil society groups and environmental activists who have been vocal about the potential health and environmental hazards posed by incineration. The protest saw participation from notable figures, including MPs Paula Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankash. These leaders, alongside activists from the Sabaa Party and the National Dialogue Party, united …