Lebanese Prime Minister steps down

Beirut, August 10

The Lebanon Prime Minister stepped down on Monday in the wake of the disastrous Beirut port explosion that triggered public fury, saying he had come to the conclusion that corruption in Lebanon was “bigger than the state.” In a brief televised speech after three of his ministers resigned, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that he was taking “a step back” so he can stand with the people “and fight the battle for change alongside them.” “I declare today the resignation of this government. May God protect Lebanon,” he said, repeating the last phrase three times.

The move risks opening the way to dragged-out negotiations over a new Cabinet amid urgent calls for reform. It follows a weekend of anti-government protests in the wake of the August 4 explosion in Beirut's port that decimated the facility and caused widespread destruction, killing at least 160 persons and injuring about 6,000 others.— AP