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LEBANON'S capital Beirut was rocked by a devastating explosion last week, killing at least 163 people and injuring thousands. Now the entire government has resigned - will there have to be an election?
Beirut has been left reeling following an explosion last week which killed at least 163 people and injured more than 6,000 others. A warehouse in the port area of the city exploded on 4th August, devastating the city and infuriating residents and triggering public outrage. Now Lebanon's prime minister has announced the resignation of the entire government.
Lebanon's Prime Minister announced the resignation of the whole government today after pressure had been building against the cabinet for the devastation and previous economic concerns.
Prime Minister Diab delivered an address to the nation tonight, stating the explosion in Beirut was the result of endemic corruption.
Mr Diab's tenure lasted just 202 days, and had been marred by extensive protests both before and after the explosion.
The cabinet, which formed in January with the support of the powerful Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and its allies, met on Monday.
Lebanon Election: Lebanon's Prime Minister will announce the resignation of the whole government (Image: GETTY)
Mr Diab, in a televised speech, said the detonation of highly-explosive material warehoused at the port in the capital for the last seven years was "the result of endemic corruption".
He said: "Today we follow the will of the people in their demand to hold accountable those responsible for the disaster that has been in hiding for seven years, and their desire for real change.
"In the face of this reality ... I am announcing today the resignation of this government."
Many ministers already wanted to resign according to ministerial and political sources.
Lebanon election: Anti-government protests have broken out over the past two days (Image: GETTY)
The information and environment ministers quit on Sunday as well as several lawmakers, and the justice minister also exited his role on Monday.
Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, a key negotiator with the International Monetary Fund in a rescue plan to help Lebanon escape a financial crisis, prepared his resignation letter and brought it with him to a cabinet meeting, a source close to him and local media said.
The cabinet has decided to refer the investigation of the blast to the judicial council, the topmost legal authority whose rulings cannot be appealed, a ministerial source and state news agency NNA said.
The council usually takes on the top security cases.
Lebanon election: Officials have estimated losses of around $15 billion from the explosion (Image: GETTY)
Will there have to be an election as government resigns over Beirut explosion?
The last election took place in Lebanon in 2018, and are slated to take place every four years.
However, on Saturday, Prince Minister Diab said he would request early parliamentary elections.
In a televised address Mr Diab said: "We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections.
On Monday, I will propose to cabinet a draft bill for early parliamentary polls."
In his address, Mr Diab called on all political parties to put aside their disagreements.
He added he was prepared to stay in the post for two months to allow time for politicians to work on structural reforms.
However, for many Lebanese, a change in government isn't enough.
Lebanon election: Many residents have lost homes and businesses in the blast (Image: GETTY)
Joe Haddad, a Beirut engineer, said: "The entire regime needs to change. It will make no difference if there is a new government. We need quick elections."
Eli Abi Hanna's house and his car repair shop were destroyed in last week's explosion.
He said: "The economy was already a disaster and now I have no way of making money again.
"It was easier to make money during the civil war. The politicians and the economic disaster have ruined everything."
Anti-government protests have broken out over the past two days, in the biggest protests since October, when demonstrators took to the streets over an economic crisis based on endemic corruption, waste and mismanagement.
Protesters accused the political elite of siphoning off state resources for their own benefit.
Officials have estimated losses of around $15 billion (£11.47 billion) from the explosion.
This is a cost Lebanon cannot pay after already defaulting on sovereign debt exceeding 150 percent of economic output.
Talks have also halted with the IMF on the subject of a lifeline.
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Beirut has been left reeling following an explosion last week which killed at least 163 people and injured more than 6,000 others. A warehouse in the port area of the city exploded on 4th August, devastating the city and infuriating residents and triggering public outrage. Now Lebanon's prime minister has announced the resignation of the entire government.
Lebanon's Prime Minister announced the resignation of the whole government today after pressure had been building against the cabinet for the devastation and previous economic concerns.
Prime Minister Diab delivered an address to the nation tonight, stating the explosion in Beirut was the result of endemic corruption.
Mr Diab's tenure lasted just 202 days, and had been marred by extensive protests both before and after the explosion.
The cabinet, which formed in January with the support of the powerful Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and its allies, met on Monday.
Lebanon Election: Lebanon's Prime Minister will announce the resignation of the whole government (Image: GETTY)
Mr Diab, in a televised speech, said the detonation of highly-explosive material warehoused at the port in the capital for the last seven years was "the result of endemic corruption".
He said: "Today we follow the will of the people in their demand to hold accountable those responsible for the disaster that has been in hiding for seven years, and their desire for real change.
"In the face of this reality ... I am announcing today the resignation of this government."
Many ministers already wanted to resign according to ministerial and political sources.
Lebanon election: Anti-government protests have broken out over the past two days (Image: GETTY)
The information and environment ministers quit on Sunday as well as several lawmakers, and the justice minister also exited his role on Monday.
Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, a key negotiator with the International Monetary Fund in a rescue plan to help Lebanon escape a financial crisis, prepared his resignation letter and brought it with him to a cabinet meeting, a source close to him and local media said.
The cabinet has decided to refer the investigation of the blast to the judicial council, the topmost legal authority whose rulings cannot be appealed, a ministerial source and state news agency NNA said.
The council usually takes on the top security cases.
Lebanon election: Officials have estimated losses of around $15 billion from the explosion (Image: GETTY)
Will there have to be an election as government resigns over Beirut explosion?
The last election took place in Lebanon in 2018, and are slated to take place every four years.
However, on Saturday, Prince Minister Diab said he would request early parliamentary elections.
In a televised address Mr Diab said: "We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections.
On Monday, I will propose to cabinet a draft bill for early parliamentary polls."
In his address, Mr Diab called on all political parties to put aside their disagreements.
He added he was prepared to stay in the post for two months to allow time for politicians to work on structural reforms.
However, for many Lebanese, a change in government isn't enough.
Lebanon election: Many residents have lost homes and businesses in the blast (Image: GETTY)
Joe Haddad, a Beirut engineer, said: "The entire regime needs to change. It will make no difference if there is a new government. We need quick elections."
Eli Abi Hanna's house and his car repair shop were destroyed in last week's explosion.
He said: "The economy was already a disaster and now I have no way of making money again.
"It was easier to make money during the civil war. The politicians and the economic disaster have ruined everything."
Anti-government protests have broken out over the past two days, in the biggest protests since October, when demonstrators took to the streets over an economic crisis based on endemic corruption, waste and mismanagement.
Protesters accused the political elite of siphoning off state resources for their own benefit.
Officials have estimated losses of around $15 billion (£11.47 billion) from the explosion.
This is a cost Lebanon cannot pay after already defaulting on sovereign debt exceeding 150 percent of economic output.
Talks have also halted with the IMF on the subject of a lifeline.
Read More
We must act now to save Lebanon after latest disaster
Real reason Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut so soon after disaster
Beirut explosion: NASA maps 'devastating result' of Beirut blast
DON'T MISS
Macron accused of political overstretch after call for Lebanon reforms [INSIGHT]
France and Lebanon history: Why are France and Lebanon allies? [EXPLAINED]
Macron sparks outrage as France's leader spotted 'smirking' in Beirut [ANALYSIS]
Related articles
Terrifying impact of Beirut blast laid bare in London map
Emmanuel Macron mobbed as French President arrives in Lebanon
How many people died in Beirut? How did the explosion happen?
Lebanon map: Where is Beirut? Is there a civil war?
Queen sends heartbreaking message to families of Lebanon blast victims
Lebanese authorities warned about dangerous chemicals for SIX YEARS
http://archive.is/wip/Hlzt4
See also
Israel's Moshe Feiglin: "I feel happy about what happened in Beirut".
https://ancient-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42874
Israel has destroyed East Beirut with a new weapon
https://ancient-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42924
Netanyahu threat to Beirut
https://ancient-forums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42868
