Lebanon: government officially resigns

CAIRO – 10 August 2020: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab in an official televised speech announced the government resignation, a week after a tragic blast in Beirut killed dozens of people and destroyed houses and streets.

Diab blamed the blast on “long-standing corruption,” saying that the corrupt figures have fought against the government, distorted facts and spread rumors.

He hailed the efforts made by the ministers of his government, saying each of them has exerted the maximum possible effort.

الآن | رئيس الوزراء اللبناني حسان دياب يعلن استقالة الحكومة

الآن | رئيس الوزراء اللبناني حسان دياب يعلن استقالة الحكومة لمشاهدة البث المباشر لقناة اكسترا نيوز : http://bit.ly/2lIAKDs شاركنا برأيك عبر موقعنا www.extran...

A tragic blast took place on August 4 in Beirut, when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the port exploded causing more than 150 deaths and 6,000 injuries. Beirut governor stated that the value of the ports damages is $15 billion. The explosion also caused the destruction of surrounding neighborhoods.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan earlier on Monday said the government of Hassan Diab has resigned as per the will of the Lebanese people, as Beirut has been rocked by violent protests over rampant corruption, following a deadly blast that killed dozens and injured thousands.

Hasan called the step to resign as part of the sense of responsibility, saying the Cabinet had to submit the blast case to the judicial council, the country’s highest judicial authority, before it resigns.

He added that the Lebanese people has enough perception and awareness to find out who committed the explosion and who should bear the responsibility, but the judicial authority should take care of this.

A virtual donors’ conference co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and the United Nations was held on Sunday to solicit aid and coordinate emergency aid sent by the international community in the face of the repercussions of the blast.