Environment and Development Department at the Kataeb party is following the series of massive blazes in Lebanon’s forests, namely the blaze that broke out in the Batramaz forest in Dinniyeh on Tuesday night.

“Batramaz forest is unique in its biological and animal diversity and it is one of East's lushest pine forests. We praise the Lebanese army, Air corps and the firefighters who tried to salvage and contain the fire that was sparked deliberately, according to Environment Minister Nasser Yassin,” read a statement issued by the Environment and Development Department at the Kataeb party.

“Isn’t it time to impose the most severe sanctions on illegal firewood and unlicensed coal dealers? When will all state agencies arrest the perpetrators and apply the laws against them?  Isn't it time to provide the civil defence with a developed firefighting equipment?” it asked.

“What are the relevant authorities waiting for to declare a state of environmental emergency to solve the crises of landfills, fires, water and air pollution, and diseases that affect perennial pine and oak forests?” it added.

“What are you waiting for the approval of the proposal for a law to establish an accident anticipation device submitted by the martyr Pierre Gemayel to avoid the occurrence of natural disasters that can be avoided?” it stressed.

“While the environmental issue has become a top priority for civilized societies, some people in Lebanon are still destroying our only remaining wealth, whether through criminality, inaction or negligence. We have no confidence in the Lebanese state to rise again in this bitter reality,” it added.

Environment and Development Department at the Kataeb party stressed that every citizen bears the responsibility of reporting fires and their arsonists is a national and moral duty.