Lebanon's government resigns

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his resignation addressing the nation on Monday (10) evening. His announcement was made almost a week after the Beirut explosion which killed more than 160 people.

Three cabinet ministers had already quit along with seven MPs including Lebanon's Justice minister Marie Claude Najm, Information minister Manal Abdel Samad, and Environment minister Damianos Kattar.

An image grab obtained from Lebanon's public television network Tele Liban on August 10, 2020, shows Prime Minister Hassan Diab announcing his government's resignation amid popular outrage over the deadly Beirut port explosion. (AFP)

The decision was taken as riots were sparked in the country after the explosion accusing the Government of being irresponsible and making the way to the tragic event.

Lebanon is already facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Because of this, Diab's government was already labelled as a corrupted government. In his speech addressing the nation, Diab said that his government had "gone to great lengths to lay out a road map to save the country" but corruption in Lebanon "is bigger than the state" itself.

"They knew that we pose a threat to them and that the success of this government means a real change in this long-ruling class whose corruption has asphyxiated the country," he added.

"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," Mr Diab said.

President Michel Aoun has asked the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed. The parliament will now have to choose a new prime minister. However, due to the complex political system in Lebanon, this process might take an extensive period.