The National Authority of the Litani River issued a statement addressed to the Lebanese Ministry of Industry, stating that during the summer of last year, in coordination with the Minister of Industry, it conducted an inspection tour of a number of industrial facilities located within the upper Litani River basin.
The Authority indicated that this tour revealed the non-compliance of one industrial establishment, named “AZ” and located in the Maxa – Qab Elias area, with the required environmental standards and conditions.
It affirmed that the Minister of Industry himself was informed of these environmental violations, and that the Authority hastened to send the necessary official letters to the concerned authorities, demanding that the necessary legal measures be taken, foremost of which is closing the establishment until it corrects its environmental conditions.
The Authority stated that the Ministry of Industry preferred to grant a grace period to this establishment, in addition to other establishments included in the tour. However, despite the clarity of the violations and informing the concerned establishment of the obligations imposed on it, it became clear that it continues to discharge industrial waste into channels that flow into the Litani River without any adherence to the approved environmental standards, which constitutes a clear violation of the laws and regulations in force, and a direct threat to the environment and the course of the Litani River.
In conclusion, the Authority renewed its clear demand to close this establishment immediately until it fully complies with the environmental obligations and the legal and technical conditions imposed, in order to preserve water resources, protect public health, and affirm the principle of zero tolerance for any attack on the environment.
