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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.
A man poses for a picture with a cardboard cut-out of Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab (L) and … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
Reports emerged following the explosion that the Lebanese government had known about the explosive materials stored at the port suspected of sparking the catastrophe, with customs officials requesting their disposal on multiple occasions—invigorating widespread criticism of the government and heated protests.
Lebanon’s Justice Minister Marie Claude Najm, Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad and Environment Minister Damianos Kattar all left their posts in an ongoing slew of resignations starting Saturday.
The latest to step down from his position, Wazni was leading negotiations with the International Monetary Fund about rescuing Lebanon from the catastrophe that left at least 200 dead, 5,000 injured and 300,000 homeless (more than 12% of Beirut’s population).
A judge began questioning Lebanon’s security chief, Mayor General Tony Saliba, on Monday amid speculation that the entire government could resign.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab responded to the demands of floods of protesters over the weekend asking for a regime change by offering early elections—but with a proposed two-month delay to reach agreement with the country’s various factions that aggravated those looking for immediate action.
Around 20 people have been arrested over the explosion amid an ongoing government investigation, including the country’s current and former heads of customs, the head of the port and port workers dating back to 2014, when the ammonium nitrate was first stored in the hangar.
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)
“Lebanon’s justice minister resigns: Live Updates” (Al Jazeera)
“Lebanese government in crisis as ministers resign over blast” (The Washington Post)
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