The stench of uncollected refuse in the streets of Beirut is a stark reminder of the crisis of government afflicting Lebanon, where politicians divided by local and regional conflicts have been unable to agree on where to dump the capital's rubbish.
Mounting piles of garbage festering in the summer heat are triggering health warnings and protests by residents furious their government failed to avoid a crisis ignited by the long-scheduled closure of a major landfill site last week.
For lack of state planning, the tip at Naameh south of Beirut had already been kept open well beyond its planned closure date. The date set for its final closure - July 17 - was known, but the authorities had no ready alternative when the day came.
A plan to dump rubbish from Beirut - where more than half the population live - at locations around Lebanon is meeting resistance from the regions.
The contract of the company that until this week was collecting the refuse expired with the closure of Naameh.
"Unfortunately, the streets are filled up with garbage but we can't find an alternative now. The plan should come from the state, and we will then act upon it," said Pascale Nassar, communications manager for the company, Sukleen.
PHOTO: A general view shows the Naameh landfill, south of Beirut, Lebanon July 22, 2015.
CREDIT: REUTERS/AZIZ TAHER.
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