Lebanese PM Hassan Diab has announced he is stepping down in wake of last week’s deadly Beirut explosion. A number of ministers had already stepped down after mass protests against the government erupted in the country.
In a brief televised speech on Monday, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he was taking “a step back” so that he can stand with the Lebanese people “and fight the battle for change alongside them.”
“I declare today the resignation of this government. May God protect Lebanon,” Diab announced.
“Today we are heeding the people and their demands to hold accountable those responsible for a disaster.”
Diab blamed his predecessors for last week’s deadly blast in the capital Beirut. “They (political class) should have been ashamed of themselves because their corruption is what has led to this disaster that had been hidden for seven years,” he added.
“Their corruption created this tragedy,” said Diab. “Between us and change stands a thick wall protected by their dirty tactics,” he added.
President Michel Aoun accepted the resignation of the government.
Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters that Diab was heading to the presidential palace to “hand over the resignation in the name of all the ministers.”
“The whole government resigned,” Hassan said.
The Lebanese government on Monday held a cabinet meeting amid mounting pressure to step down over the devastating explosion that killed more than 150 people in Beirut earlier this week.
