Lebanese Protesters Occupy Ministry of Environment Building

Dozens of Lebanese activists, estimated by local media to be around 40, stormed the Ministry of Environment building in Lebanon on Tuesday, September 10, taking it over. The protesters state that they will continue their actions until the resignation of Mohammad Mashnouq, the Minister of Environment. In response, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement indicating that Mashnouq had contacted Prime Minister Tammam Salam and granted the protesters a 'half-hour' deadline to leave the Ministry, while they would have the right to demonstrate in front of the Ministry. The storming of the Ministry occurred while Mohammad Mashnouq was present in his office. Recent protests in Lebanon began in response to the crisis of garbage accumulation in the streets of Beirut and the lack of a solution for its collection, particularly as this crisis has arisen during the intense summer heat, causing foul odors in the streets and the spread of disease among the people. However, after the initial confrontation with security forces, other demands with political undertones were also raised. During the storming of the Ministry, there were not many security measures in place. However, after the incident, dozens of security forces and riot police arrived at the scene, closing several entrances to the area. The Ministry of Environment is located in the 'Al-Azariyeh' building in central Beirut, part of which is commercial and part is allocated to the Ministry. The number of activists and protesters in front of the Ministry building also increased. Among the protesters who entered the Ministry building were several activists and figures from the 'Your Stench Has Emerged' campaign, which organized the recent protests in Beirut along with several other civil society groups. Some protesters inside the Ministry of Environment contacted local media, emphasizing that their movement is 'peaceful' and that they do not intend to 'attack' anyone. They stressed that they will continue their 'sit-in' at the Ministry until the resignation of Mohammad Mashnouq. The Lebanese network 'LBC' was also able to send a reporter and cameraman into the Ministry building. According to these images, activists and protesters are sitting in the hallways of the Ministry of Environment and chanting slogans, including 'Mashnouq, get out.' In response, Mohammad Mashnouq stated in an interview with 'LBC' that he does not intend to leave the Ministry and will remain in his office with the support of security forces. Local media quoted Mashnouq, the Minister of Interior, as saying that he seeks to resolve the situation through 'negotiations,' but if these 'negotiations' fail, 'subsequent decisions' will be made. He emphasized that what has occurred is 'the occupation of a public building' and a 'crime.' The storming of the Ministry took place just hours before a deadline set by the 'Your Stench Has Emerged' campaign to 'begin implementing their demands.' This campaign announced a series of demands during the protests of tens of thousands on Saturday, September 7, stating that if their demands are not 'begun to be implemented,' they will escalate their movement. These demands include: 'the resignation of Mohammad Mashnouq, the Minister of Environment, due to his inability to solve the garbage problem, the creation of a permanent, visible, and environmental solution to the garbage crisis, punishment for all those who misappropriated public funds in the past, and punishment for Mashnouq, the Minister of Interior, and all those who ordered firing at protesters last week.'