Lebanon: Environmental catastrophe threatens Mediterranean

By Bogonko Bosire - NAIROBI

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Wednesday called for immediate action after thousands of tonnes of fuel from a bombed Lebanese power plant spread to the Syrian coastline, threatening to unleash an environmental catastrophe.

The Nairobi-based UNEP said the oil slick, caused by the destruction of the Jiyyeh power utility 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of Beirut, had arrived on Syria's coast after affecting up to 80 kilometres (50 miles) of the Lebanese coastline.

"It is nearly three weeks since the bombing of the power plant and the initial satellite imagery unfortunately confirms that the oil spill is of a significant magnitude and spreading," UNEP executive director Achim Steiner said in a statement released here.

"A coordinated response must urgently be allowed to proceed, so that we can limit the immediate environmental damage as well as the longer terms implications for the economy and the Lebanese people," he added.

"Now it has become even more vital to take immediate action. In addition to the humanitarian circumstances, an environmental catastrophe is threatening the Mediterranean region," said Paul Mifsud, UNEP's coordinator for the Mediterranean Action Plan.

"Hostilities must cease to guarantee immediate safe access to the affected area," he said, echoeing calls by a section of the international community.

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