The government of Lebanon has resigned amid widespread public fury at the country’s ruling elite over last week’s devastating explosion in Beirut.
The move risks opening the way to dragged-out negotiations over a new Cabinet amid urgent calls for reform.
It was reported that the Prime Minster Hassan Diab headed to the presidential palace to submit the Cabinet’s group resignationIt following a weekend of anti-government protests in the wake of the August 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that caused widespread destruction, killed at least 160 people and injured about 6000 others.
The moment typified Lebanon’s political dilemma. Since October, there have been mass demonstrations demanding the departure of the entire sectarian-based leadership over entrenched corruption, incompetence and mismanagement.
But the ruling oligarchy has held onto power for so long since the end of the civil war in 1990, that it is difficult to find a credible political figure not tainted by connections to them.
Although Diab’s resignation had appeared inevitable after the catastrophe, he seemed unwilling to leave and only two days ago made a televised speech in which he offered to stay on for two months to allow for various factions to agree on a roadmap for reforms.
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