TOPLINE
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his resignation along with the country’s Cabinet on Monday after last week’s explosion fueled widespread protests over long-term government neglect and corruption.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned from his position on Monday.
KEY FACTS
Diab publicized his decision in a televised address to the nation hours after Lebanon’s Cabinet folded, calling the explosion a “disaster beyond measure” and asking the Lebanese people to hold the forces accountable who “have led the country to this state of corruption and destruction.”
“The whole government resigned,” Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters after a Monday Cabinet meeting, saying Diab would go to the presidential palace to “hand over the resignation in the name of all the ministers.”
Public outrage erupted in Beirut after reports emerged that the Lebanese government had known about the explosive materials being stored at the port that catalyzed the deadly catastrophe, and that their disposal had been requested on multiple occasions—to no end.
Several key ministers and at least nine members of parliament announced their resignations starting Saturday.
The Cabinet members will continue to serve in a caretaker role until a new government is formed.
Around 20 people have been arrested over the explosion amid an ongoing government investigation, including the country’s current and former heads of customs, the head of the port and port workers dating back to 2014, when the ammonium nitrate was first stored in the warehouse.
Chief Critic
“We tried to bring about the change that the Lebanese people wanted,” said Diab in remarks to the nation. “And because we don’t want to be an obstacle in the way of change, this is the reason why we have tended our resignation. Long live Lebanon.”
Key Background
Lebanese officials believe that last Tuesday’s explosion was caused by a warehouse fire at Beirut’s port, where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate explosives had been stored for years. Reports quickly emerged that Lebanese customs officials had, on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2017, requested the disposal of the highly combustible materials. The tragedy has triggered widespread outrage in Lebanon, where people see it as symptomatic of persistent government corruption and neglect, calling for the resignation of the country’s top politicians.
Big Number
$15 billion. How much the explosion could cost Lebanon, a country already struggling with a severe economic crisis marked by unemployment and the collapse of local currency.
Crucial Quote
“It is impossible to imagine what the city will look like after this tragedy,” said Patricia Khoder, a consultant at CARE Lebanon, an aid organization providing on-the-ground relief in Beirut. “At the moment, we do not yet know how, but we will recover.”
Further Reading
“Two Large Explosions Rip Through Beirut, Killing At Least 135 And Injuring Thousands” (Forbes)
“Outrage Over Beirut Explosion Grows As More Bodies Pulled From The Rubble” (Forbes)
“Lebanon’s justice minister resigns: Live Updates” (Al Jazeera)
“Lebanese government in crisis as ministers resign over blast” (The Washington Post)
