Ministers And Parliament Resign Over Beirut Blast As Protesters Demand Regime Overhaul

TOPLINE

Four key Lebanese ministers and nine members of parliament have resigned amid large-scale protests blaming last week’s deadly explosion on long-term government neglect and corruption. 

KEY FACTS

Chief Critic 

“I cannot stay within the mafia,” said Paula Yacoubian, one of the nine parliament members to resign. “They stole everything, they destroyed the country, and they want to continue doing business as usual.” The independent parliament member called for the government to resign “and to start again,” describing it as the only “reasonable and sane” thing to do. 

Key Background

Lebanese officials believe that last Tuesday’s explosion was caused by a warehouse fire at Beirut’s port, where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate explosives had been stored for years. Reports quickly emerged that Lebanese customs officials had, on multiple occasions between 2014 and 2017, requested the disposal of the highly combustible materials—to no end. Though the Lebanese government jumped into action in the blast’s aftermath, the people of Lebanon are positioning the Beirut explosion as symptomatic of long-lasting government corruption and neglect, calling for the resignation of the country’s top politicians. 

Big Number

$15 billion. How much the explosion could cost Lebanon, a country already struggling with a severe economic crisis marked by unemployment and the collapse of local currency. 

Crucial Quote

“It is impossible to imagine what the city will look like after this tragedy,” said Patricia Khoder, a consultant at CARE Lebanon, an aid organization providing on-the-ground relief in Beirut. “At the moment, we do not yet know how, but we will recover.”

Further Reading 

“Two Large Explosions Rip Through Beirut, Killing At Least 135 And Injuring Thousands” (Forbes) 

“Outrage Over Beirut Explosion Grows As More Bodies Pulled From The Rubble” (Forbes) 

“Lebanese Prime Minister Promises Early Elections As Protesters Clash With Police In Beirut, Storm Offices” (Forbes) 

“Lebanon’s justice minister resigns: Live Updates” (Al Jazeera) 

“Lebanese government in crisis as ministers resign over blast” (The Washington Post)