Lebanon's Cabinet resigns over Beirut blast amid public fury

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 Minster 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 August 4 explosion in Beirut's port that caused widestpre 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.

Diab's government was formed after his predecessor, Sa Hariri, stepped down in October in response to demonstrations.

It took months of bickering among leership factions before y settled on Diab.

His government, which was supported by Hezbollah and its allies and seen as one-sided, was basically doomed from start, tasked with meeting demands for reform but me up of all factions that reformers want out.

His government was basically doomed from start, tasked with meeting demands for reform but me up of all factions that reformers want out.

w process must start again, with Diab's government in a caretaker role as same factions debate a new one.

“I hope that caretaking period will t be long because country cant take that. Lets hope a new government will be formed quickly,” Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told reporters.

“An effective government is least we need to get out of this crisis.” weekend protests saw clashes with security forces firing tear gas at protesters.

explosion is believed to have been caused by a fire that ignited a 2,750-ton stockpile of highly volatile ammonium nitrate.

material h been stored at port since 2013 with few safeguards despite numerous warnings of danger.

result was a disaster Lebanese blame squarely on ir leership's corruption and neglect. Losses from catastrophic blast are estimated to be between USD 10 billion to USD 15 billion, with nearly 300,000 people left homeless.

last decision taken by Diab's government before its resignation was to refer case of explosion to Supreme Judicial Council, which handles crimes infringing on Leban's national security as well as political and state security crimes.

Supreme Judicial Council is Leban's top judicial body.

A judge on Monday questioned hes of country's security ncies. Public Prosecutor Ghassan El Khoury questioned Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba, he of State Security, according to state-run National News ncy.

It gave furr details, but or generals are scheduled to be questioned.

State Security h compiled a report about dangers of storing material at port and sent a copy to offices of president and prime minister on July 20.

investigation is focused on how ammonium nitrate came to be stored at port and why thing was done about it.

Najjar, public works minister, said he learned about material's presence 24 hours before blast, receiving a report about material and holding a meeting with port officials before calling its chief, Hassan Korayetem.

“I wrote a report in morning explosion happened in evening,” Najjar said. Asked why he only learned of it day before, Najjar said, “I don't kw. Truly I don't kw.” About 20 people have been detained after blast, including he of Leban's customs department and his predecessor, as well as he of port.

Dozens of people have been questioned, including two former Cabinet ministers, according to government officials.

On Sunday, world leers and international organisations pledged nearly USD 300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut, but warned that money for rebuilding capital would be me available until Lebanese authorities commit mselves to political and ecomic reforms demanded by people.

Iran, meanwhile, expressed concern that Western countries and ir allies might exploit anger over explosion to pursue ir political interests. Iran supports Hezbollah militant group, which along with its allies dominates government and parliament.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said “it is natural for people to be frustrated.” But he said it would be “unacceptable if some individuals, groups and foreign countries use incident as a pretext for ir purposes and intentions.” 

(Photo Credit: AP)