The cabinet held a regular session on Wednesday to address various issues and approved providing the telecommunications data to all security apparatuses

The cabinet held a regular session on Wednesday to address various issues and approved providing the telecommunications data to all security apparatuses while leaving the decision of giving it to the State Security in the hands of PM Tammam Salam.

“We have requested that all security apparatuses have access to the data including the State Security and Salam has assured us that this will be the case,” said Education Minister Elias Bou Saab after the cabinet session.

On the H5N1 bird flu virus that was detected in poultry farms in Baalbek last week, Information Minister Ramzi Jreij said: “The government gave an initial approval to compensate the farmers whose poultry was affected by the virus.”

As for the waste management file, Jreij said: “The cabinet approved the formation of a committee, chaired by the Premier, to address waste incinerators.”

Ahead the meeting, Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq replied to complaints about the waste odor filling the air saying: “The odor is the result of the removal of 550 tons of accumulated trash.”

The session that kicked off at the Grand Serail in a bid to tackle several pressing issues excluded the thorny file of the State Security which officials said is being followed up by Salam.

Before the session convened, Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon emphasized that “the solution for the State Security file is an administrative one.”