Hariri Promises Ban on Diesel will be Implemented
(13/6/2001)
The Lebanese Cabinet implemented a decision banning diesel-powered cars, starting July 1, and is "expected" to extend the ban to mini-vans

.Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri announced the government move during his appearance at the Environment & Development magazine's fifth anniversary, on 13 of June 2001, which was attended by a host of officials.

The cabinet had given unlicensed diesel-powered cars until the end of June to switch to regular engines.

Since the law allows mini-vans, but not taxis, to operate on diesel, taxi drivers had seen the decision as unfairly giving their mini-van competitors an edge, due to cheaper diesel rates.

Hariri said that he made it a point to attend the reception, in which he was scheduled to deliver a speech.

"I wanted to show that the government is really concerned with the environment ... especially since this is a tourist country," he said.

Hariri listed several environmental problems plaguing the country, but said that the environment "brings everyone together" and "there's no political conflict over it.

" Environment & Development's publisher Najib Saab accused politicians of damaging the environment for their own political gains.

"You may ask: To what extent could we accomplish some serious environmental work... when even the polluting diesel has a political sect that defends it and each quarry has a guardian in the name of regional or partisan gains," Saab said in his speech. In his prepared speech,

Hariri insisted that the government "persists in implementing" the pledges it made in its policy statement.

"It has been proven that proper use of resources, environmental protection and green industries lead to a better quality of life and do not conflict with economic benefits," he said.

"A sound environment means a reduced health bill and attraction for greater numbers of tourists and investments," Hariri said.

The premier asserted that "just as 90 percent of people in recent opinion polls have called for stricter environmental laws, the government is also convinced that managing the environment should be a part of development schemes".

He also said that, "No matter how much economic and political problems consume our attention... we have no right to postpone environmental issues since they are connected to the essence of our lives.

" During the reception, Environment-Friendly Advertiser Awards were presented to three advertisers: Grohe Water Technology, Saudi Airlines and Ford motors.

Saab also announced the formation of the Environment & Development Arab Forum which will group magazine subscribers to better lobby environmental issues. He presented Hariri with the first membership to the forum. .