Minister of Economy Alain Hakim said Thursday that his party pleaded PM Tamam Salam to call for an extraordinary session today, adding that he urged the announcement of a state of emergency in the country, following the delay of the unsealing of waste management tenders.

In an interview with al-Joumhouria daily, Hakim voiced his support to the peaceful protest staged in Riad al-Solh Square, condemning the attack of security forces against the protesters.

"I regret that only few protesters were participating in the sit-in, we fear that Lebanese are coping with extraordinary issues in the country," the minister added.

"Kataeb Party was the first that warned against the trash crisis, but nobody listens to us namely those who have personal benefits," Hakim concluded.