Beirut explosion: Lebanon PM Hassan Diab announces resignation of government

Leban’s prime minister says he is stepping down from his job in wake of Beirut port explosion last week that triggered public fury and mass protests.

In a brief televised speech, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Monday that he is taking “a step back” so he can stand with people “and fight battle for change alongside m.”

He said: “I declare today resignation of this government. May God protect Leban,” repeating last phrase three times.

A brief while earlier, Diab’s Cabinet resigned. developments follow a weekend of anti-government protests in wake of Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that caused widespre destruction, killed at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 ors.

Diab blamed corrupt politicians who preceded him for “earthquake” that has hit Leban.

“y ( political class) should have been ashamed of mselves because ir corruption is what has led to this disaster that h been hidden for seven years,” he ded.

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Leban govt resigned 

Leban’s government resigned Monday amid widespre public fury at country’s ruling elite over last week’s devastating explosion in Beirut. move risks opening way to dragged-out negotiations over a new Cabinet amid urgent calls for reform.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab heed to presidential palace to submit Cabinet’s group resignation, said Health Minister Ham Hassan. It follows a weekend of anti-government protests in wake of Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that caused widespre destruction, killed at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 ors.

moment typified Leban’s political dilemma. Since October, re have been mass demonstrations demanding departure of entire sectarian-based leership over entrenched corruption, incompetence and mismanment.

But ruling oligarchy has held onto power for so long — since end of civil war in 1990 — that it is difficult to find a credible political figure t tainted by connections to m.

Although Diab’s resignation h appeared inevitable after catastrophe, he seemed unwilling to leave and only two days ago me a televised speech in which he offered to stay on for two months to allow for various factions to agree on a romap for reforms. But pressure from within his own Cabinet proved to be too much.

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