Lebanese PM threatens to resign amid trash crisis
Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam has threatened to step down from power amid violent clashes between police and demonstrators protesting over the country’s failure to collect garbage from the streets.
Salam threatened to resign during a television address on Sunday as public discontent over the government’s failure to tackle the garbage issue brought thousands to the streets.
The violent protests have so far left at least one person dead while more than 40 protesters and 30 police forces have been injured.
The premier warned that if a cabinet meeting, which is expected to take place later this week, failed to resolve the matter, the indebted Lebanese government would be at risk of collapsing.
"I warn that we are going towards collapse if matters continue," the Lebanese premier said. "Frankly, I have not and will not be a partner in this collapse. Let all officials and political forces bear their responsibilities."
Also speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Salam pointed to Lebanon’s political deadlock, saying the impasse may prevent the government from selling bonds and undermine its credit rating.
“The garbage crisis is what broke the camel’s back, but the story is much bigger than this,” Salam said. “Did you know that because of the failure to take decisions, we may not be able to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector employees?”
Protests postponed
Meanwhile, the “You Stink” protest movement has postponed demonstrations planned for Monday in the capital, Beirut. The group said they would announce the reason for the cancellation of the third day of protests during a press conference later in the day.
Although the demonstrations initially started last month over the government’s failure to collect garbage in the streets, they have now turned to demonstrations demanding the Lebanese government’s resignation.
Demonstrators say the country’s political paralysis and corruption are the main reasons behind the current crisis in the Arab country.
Salam’s possible resignation would trigger a crisis as the country’s president is tasked with appointing a prime minister.
This is while Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014, when former President Michel Sleiman left office at the end of his tenure.
Lebanese lawmakers have so far failed to elect a successor to Sleiman to put an end to the political vacuum in the country.
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