BEIRUT LATEST: Lebanon's government resigns less than a week after the devastating explosion

BEIRUT LATEST: Lebanon's government resigns less than a week after the devastating explosion
By Iain Fraser - GEOPoliticalMatters.com
Malaga, Spain.

Less than a week after the horrific explosion that killed more than 200 people and devastated Beirut itself, Lebanon's government has resigned wholesale amid continuing angry protest.

The massive blast was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the port for years.

In a national TV address, Prime Minister Hassan Diab addressed the nation, announcing his resignation and that of his entire government in the wake of the blast, which he called a "disaster beyond measure." In an impassioned statement, Diab berated Lebanon's ruling political elite for fostering what he called "an apparatus of corruption bigger than the state."

He said "We have fought valiantly and with dignity," "Between us and change is big powerful barrier." going on to comparing Tuesday's explosion to an "earthquake that rocked the country". "We have decided to stand with the people," Diab said. Three cabinet ministers had already resigned together with seven members of parliament.

President Michel Aoun has asked the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed.

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