Sitting around a kettle of coffee, Waref Sleiman continued his abstinence from food for a 13th consecutive day. Since commencing his hunger strike on Sept. 2, he’s been joined by nine other men who were desperately seeking a solution to the garbage crisis. The group has vowed never to eat again unless Lebanon’s environment minister, Mohammad Machnouk, resigns.
The hunger strikers say they’re willing to pay the ultimate price to instigate change.
But while abstaining from food, their diet contains only cigarettes, coffee, water and multivitamins.
“We’re very optimistic that he will resign,” Sleiman told The Daily Star, while laying outside of his tent Monday. “We have salt and mineral supplements. I’m planning to do this [hunger strike] for a long time.”
Dany Sleiman, Waref’s cousin, says that he has lost 6 kilograms since abstaining from food.
“We don’t have a plan B if he [Machnouk] doesn’t step down,” Dany said, as he pushed away his friend who playfully tempted him with a small chocolate bar.
Hussein, a man with a thin frame and a scar above his mouth, says that he first befriended Waref in a demonstration in Downtown Beirut. However, it wasn’t until he saw his tent that he decided to join him. “I have partaken in this strike for 13 days and I feel good,” Hussein said, while sitting on the ground and drinking Turkish coffee.
According to dietary experts, anyone considering a hunger strike should gradually reduce their food intake at least a week before they start. Giving up cigarettes, while substituting coffee for tea, is cited as equally important to maintain hydration. And while cigarettes and coffee can help stifle hunger, they also produce serious complications.
Farah Hariri, a Lebanese dietician, says that those insisting on persevering are contemplating suicide. “Vitamin supplements and water is not enough to live on for two weeks. They need antioxidants and other minerals to survive,” she told The Daily Star over the phone. “I can’t believe they have lasted this long. Their immune system would be very susceptible to sickness at this point. They almost would have had to eaten something to survive.”
“There will always be rumors,” Waref added. “And maybe not everyone is on hunger strike, but I certainly am.”
Members from the Lebanese Red Cross have monitored each hunger striker closely by checking the blood pressure and energy levels of everyone partaking. Nevertheless, two men were escorted to the hospital after suffering from fatigue last week. And though they returned, those who persevere could suffer irreversible consequences.
After four weeks, hunger strikers might begin to experience hallucinations, deteriorating muscle tissue and brain damage. But those who were already in precarious health could suffer the ultimate price.
“Those on hunger strike are taking a huge risk,” Hariri said. “They have no way to know if they are in good health unless they did a blood test. Who knows what conditions they already have.”
Ahmad Massi, a man with a thin frame and short dark hair, said that he’s already been to the hospital twice. And though his actions haven’t drawn any decisive action from Lebanese ministers, he refuses to quit until his demands are met.
“If Machnouk doesn’t leave office then I’ll never leave,” Massi said, lying on his back as he lit a cigarette. “I’ll die here if I have to.”
By Mat Nashed
