Beirut explosion: Lebanon’s government ‘to resign’ as death toll rises

The Lebanese government is reportedly about to resign amid mounting anger over last Tuesday’s explosion in Beirut that killed more than 200 people.

Health Minister Hamad Hasan was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying an announcement would be made soon.

Three ministers have already stepped down, but there have been calls for the whole cabinet to go.

Many have accused Lebanon’s leaders of culpability for the blast through their alleged negligence and corruption.

The president and prime minister have said the explosion was the result of the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for six years without safety measures at Beirut’s port.

Over the weekend, anti-government protesters stormed some ministry buildings in the centre of the capital and clashed with police.

By Monday morning the justice minister, information minister and environment minister had all resigned. The finance minister was reportedly preparing to quit ahead of a cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister Hassan Diab.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s government has resigned amid mounting anger over the explosion on Tuesday 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.

Many people have accused the country’s leaders of culpability through their alleged negligence and corruption.

Protesters have taken to the streets for two straight days over the blast.

The president has said the massive blast was the result of the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the port for years.

Source: bbc.com

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