Ebun Olowu
Lebanon’s government has resigned amid mounting anger over the explosion on Tuesday August 4, 2020, that devastated parts of Beirut and left more than 200 people dead.
The announcement was made in a national TV address by Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Monday evening announcing his resignation and that of his government in the wake of the blast.
In an impassioned speech, Diab berated Lebanon’s ruling political elite for fostering what he called “an apparatus of corruption bigger than the state.”
“We have fought valiantly and with dignity,” he said, referring to members of his cabinet. “Between us and change is big powerful barrier.”
Diab compared Tuesday’s explosion to an “earthquake that rocked the country” prompting his government to resign. “We have decided to stand with the people,” he said.
Three cabinet ministers had already quit, along with seven members of parliament.
Many people have accused the country’s leaders of culpability through their alleged negligence and corruption.
Protesters have taken to the streets and clashed with police for a third straight day.
The massive blast was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the port for years.
On Monday the death toll from the explosion rose to 220 with 110 people still missing, Beirut city governor Marwan Abboud was quoted by the al-Marsad Online news website as saying.
Many foreign workers and lorry drivers were among the missing, he told Al Jadeed TV channel.
The huge blast damaged buildings in a radius of several kilometres in Beirut, leaving more than 200,000 homeless or living in homes with no windows or doors.
On Monday police fired tear gas at angry protesters during tense clashes in the capital.
