Residents of Damietta, northeast of Cairo, on Saturday protested against the expansion of a chemical factory which they say is polluting the environment, Egyptian Television has said. Those participating in the protest, which began five days ago, say the government promised to relocate the factory in 2008. The report added that activity at Damietta Port has been suspended after protesters blocked employees from accessing the port. Protesters on Friday burned an under-construction water station that was intended to supply the factory with water. They also destroyed another water plant that has been supplying the factory with water for three years. The protesters said they reject the cabinet's decision to order that the factory's construction be halted until an exploratory committee finishes its work. They demand that the construction come to a permanent stop. According to Egyptian Television, the situation is deadlocked. Protesters continue to block roads leading to Damietta, thereby isolating Ras al-Barr. On Saturday, meanwhile, MENA said that Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called the committee, which is charged with examining the environmental effects of the factory's construction, for an emergency meeting on Monday. Mohamed Hegazy, spokesperson for the cabinet, said the meeting will ensure the factory is serious about implementing requirements for environmental safety. Hegazy added that the meeting will focus on whether the factory would be required to set up a system for treating industrial and sewage waste before it is given a permit.
