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EU to help Lebanon contain giant oil spill
Brussels (AFP) Jul 28, 2006 The European Commission is to help Lebanon contain a huge oil spill south of Beirut caused by an Israeli air strike on a power plant, officials said Thursday. Environmental activists in the violence-wracked country have launched an international appeal for help, after strikes two weeks ago on the Jiyeh power plant which serves southern Lebanon. The EU commission, the European Union's executive arm, said Lebanese authorities had asked for "urgent" assistance to clean up an estimated 10,000 to 35,000 tons of heavy fuel oil. "Wars do cause enormous human suffering as we are witnessing now in Lebanon. But another aspect is also the significant environmental destruction caused by it," said EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas. The oil spill "could affect the livelihood and health of the Lebanese and people in neighbouring countries as well as the status of the marine environment in the region," he lamented, announcing plans to provide specialized materials and experts to help contain the spill. The spill has hit more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the Lebanese coast from Jiyyeh to Shekka, north of the capital, including Beirut's only sandy public beach of Ramlet al-Baida, said the environmentalist group Green Line. The Lebanese environment ministry, which has received a pledge from Kuwait to share its expertise in ecological crises acquired after the 1991 Gulf War, has said a complete oil-clean cleanup would cost tens of millions of dollars. The EU commission said Beirut had specificially requested significant amounts of dispersants, booms, absorbents, skimmers, as well as specialised boats and any other material and equipment. "Several (EU) states have already responded to the request and offers of assistance are being assessed in view of their submission to the Lebanese authorities. At the same time further needs are being identified," it said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Nuclear Space Technology at Space-Travel.com
Israeli army chief taken to hospital for tests: report
Jerusalem (AFP) Jul 28, 2006 The Israeli army chief of staff, General Dan Halutz, fell ill Friday and was taken to hospital for tests, Channel 10 television reported. |
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