Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his entire cabinet resigned on Monday amid widespread anger and mass protests over a massive explosion in Beirut last week.
The worst blast in decades killed more than 150 people, wounded thousands, and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
Diab blamed the catastrophic explosion on the “chronic corruption” of Lebanon’s political class and announced he is stepping aside at the behest of the public.
The explosion was followed by massive demonstrations in the streets of Beirut. Protesters are angered by the government which shattered Lebanon’s economy and failed to foresee the devastating blast. Many are demanding for an independent international probe.
The outgoing prime minister described the explosion as a “crime” and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
“I said that corruption is rooted in every part of the state,” said Diab, who took office less than eight months ago following the resignation of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The deadly blast is believed to have occurred after a fire ignited a 2,750-ton stockpile of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound that is commonly used in fertilizers and explosives.
