Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Gifford Fire Is California’s Largest Blaze This Year, Tops 82,000 Acres

17 hours ago

Wall Street Pares Gains After Fresh Economic Data; Earnings in Spotlight

18 hours ago

Israel Considers Full Gaza Takeover as More Die of Hunger

18 hours ago

US to Initially Impose ‘Small Tariff’ on Pharma Imports, Trump Says

18 hours ago

Cruz Criticizes Hochul for Wearing Headscarf at Slain Officer’s Funeral

18 hours ago

Trump Says Banks Discriminate Against His Supporters While White House Prepares Order

18 hours ago

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty in $30 Million Fraud Scheme

1 day ago

Texas Governor Vows to Replace Democrats Absent at Monday Redistricting Vote

2 days ago
Lebanon's Cabinet Resigns Over Beirut Blast Amid Public Fury
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
August 10, 2020

Share

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government resigned Monday amid widespread public fury at the country’s ruling elite over last week’s devastating explosion in Beirut. The move risks opening the way to dragged-out negotiations over a new Cabinet amid urgent calls for reform.

The moment typified Lebanon’s political dilemma. Since October, there have been mass demonstrations demanding the departure of the entire sectarian-based leadership over entrenched corruption, incompetence and mismanagement.

Prime Minster Hassan Diab headed to the presidential palace to submit the Cabinet’s group resignation, said Health Minister Hamad Hassan. It follows a weekend of anti-government protests in the wake of the Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that caused widestpread destruction, killed at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 others.

The moment typified Lebanon’s political dilemma. Since October, there have been mass demonstrations demanding the departure of the entire sectarian-based leadership over entrenched corruption, incompetence and mismanagement.

But the ruling oligarchy has held onto power for so long — since the end of the civil war in 1990 — that it is difficult to find a credible political figure not tainted by connections to them.

Although Diab’s resignation had appeared inevitable after the catastrophe, he seemed unwilling to leave and only two days ago made a televised speech in which he offered to stay on for two months to allow for various factions to agree on a roadmap for reforms. But the pressure from within his own Cabinet proved to be too much.

Diab’s government was formed after his predecessor, Saad Hariri, stepped down in October in response to the demonstrations. It took months of bickering among the leadership factions before they settled on Diab.

His government, which was supported by Hezbollah and its allies and seen as one-sided, was basically doomed from the start, tasked with meeting demands for reform but made up of all the factions that reformers want out. His government was basically doomed from the start, tasked with meeting demands for reform but made up of all the factions that reformers want out.

Photo of people in Beirut
People help a man wounded in a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Massive explosions rocked downtown Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and blowing out windows and doors as a giant mushroom cloud rose above the capital. Witnesses saw many people injured by flying glass and debris. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Security Forces Fire Tear Gas at Protesters

Now the process must start again, with Diab’s government in a caretaker role as the same factions debate a new one.

“I hope that the caretaking period will not be long because the country cannot take that. Lets hope a new government will be formed quickly,” Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told reporters. “An effective government is the least we need to get out of this crisis.”

The weekend protests saw clashes with security forces firing tear gas at protesters.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a fire that ignited a 2,750-ton stockpile of highly volatile ammonium nitrate. The material had been stored at the port since 2013 with few safeguards despite numerous warnings of the danger.

The result was a disaster Lebanese blame squarely on their leadership’s corruption and neglect. Losses from the catastrophic blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, with nearly 300,000 people left homeless.

The last decision taken by Diab’s government before its resignation was to refer the case of the explosion to the Supreme Judicial Council, which handles crimes infringing on Lebanon’s national security as well as political and state security crimes. The Supreme Judicial Council is Lebanon’s top judicial body.

A judge on Monday questioned the heads of the country’s security agencies. Public Prosecutor Ghassan El Khoury questioned Maj. Gen. Tony Saliba, the head of State Security, according to state-run National News Agency. It gave no further details, but other generals are scheduled to be questioned.

State Security had compiled a report about the dangers of storing the material at the port and sent a copy to the offices of the president and prime minister on July 20. The investigation is focused on how the ammonium nitrate came to be stored at the port and why nothing was done about it.

About 20 People Detained After the Blast

Najjar, the public works minister, said he learned about the material’s presence 24 hours before the blast, receiving a report about the material and holding a meeting with port officials before calling its chief, Hassan Korayetem.

About 20 people have been detained after the blast, including the head of Lebanon’s customs department and his predecessor, as well as the head of the port. Dozens of people have been questioned, including two former Cabinet ministers, according to government officials.

“I wrote a report in the morning the explosion happened in the evening,” Najjar said. Asked why he only learned of it the day before, Najjar said, “I don’t know. Truly I don’t know.”

About 20 people have been detained after the blast, including the head of Lebanon’s customs department and his predecessor, as well as the head of the port. Dozens of people have been questioned, including two former Cabinet ministers, according to government officials.

On Sunday, world leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut, but warned that no money for rebuilding the capital would be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people.

Iran, meanwhile, expressed concern that Western countries and their allies might exploit anger over the explosion to pursue their political interests. Iran supports the Hezbollah militant group, which along with its allies dominates the government and parliament.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said “it is natural for people to be frustrated.” But he said it would be “unacceptable if some individuals, groups and foreign countries use the incident as a pretext for their purposes and intentions.”

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz drew a line Monday between the blast and claims that Hezbollah stores its rockets and weapons deep inside civilian areas.

While he did not accuse Hezbollah and its arms of being linked to the blast, Gantz said villages and towns across Lebanon were packed with Hezbollah arms that, if set off — whether by Israeli operations or by accident — would destroy homes. He said Hezbollah was Lebanon’s biggest problem.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Slovenia Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Weapons Trade with Israel

DON'T MISS

Trump Suggests Vance Is His Likely Heir Apparent in 2028

DON'T MISS

Former Fresno City Attorney Returns to Serve as County Counsel

DON'T MISS

Trump to Host Armenia, Azerbaijan Leaders for Peace Talks on Friday, US Official Says

DON'T MISS

Two Suspects Wanted in Alleged Fresno Arson at T.J. Maxx on Shaw Avenue

DON'T MISS

‘Yes’ to Outreach, ‘No’ to Condoms. Fresno Supervisors Rein in County Holidays

DON'T MISS

Trump Declines to Say if He Supports or Opposes Potential Gaza Takeover by Israel

DON'T MISS

Fresno Three-Vehicle Crash Slows Traffic on Herndon Avenue

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens to Take Over Washington DC’s Governance

DON'T MISS

Who’s Off to a Strong Start in Raising Money for Fresno Area School Board Races?

UP NEXT

Trump to Host Armenia, Azerbaijan Leaders for Peace Talks on Friday, US Official Says

UP NEXT

Senators Ask US to Probe Data Security Issues With DeepSeek

UP NEXT

Hezbollah Chief Says Missiles Will Fall on Israel if It Resumes War on Lebanon

UP NEXT

Israel Considers Full Gaza Takeover as More Die of Hunger

UP NEXT

Record Number of Senate Democrats Vote to Block Israel Weapons Sales

UP NEXT

Israel to Decide Next Steps in Gaza After Ceasefire Talks Collapse

UP NEXT

California Police Misconduct Records Now Available in Public Database

UP NEXT

More Than 3,000 Boeing Fighter Jet Workers Go on Strike After Rejecting Contract Offer

UP NEXT

Israel Must Open Its Eyes. Defeating Hamas Doesn’t Require Starving a Single Child

UP NEXT

Trump Says He Will ‘Substantially’ Raise Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Purchases

Trump to Host Armenia, Azerbaijan Leaders for Peace Talks on Friday, US Official Says

9 hours ago

Two Suspects Wanted in Alleged Fresno Arson at T.J. Maxx on Shaw Avenue

9 hours ago

‘Yes’ to Outreach, ‘No’ to Condoms. Fresno Supervisors Rein in County Holidays

10 hours ago

Trump Declines to Say if He Supports or Opposes Potential Gaza Takeover by Israel

11 hours ago

Fresno Three-Vehicle Crash Slows Traffic on Herndon Avenue

11 hours ago

Trump Threatens to Take Over Washington DC’s Governance

12 hours ago

Who’s Off to a Strong Start in Raising Money for Fresno Area School Board Races?

12 hours ago

Two Chinese Nationals in California Accused of Illegally Shipping Nvidia AI Chips to China

12 hours ago

Senators Ask US to Probe Data Security Issues With DeepSeek

12 hours ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Asks for George Santos’ Sentence to Be Commuted

12 hours ago

Slovenia Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Weapons Trade with Israel

Slovenia announced it will ban all weapons trade with Israel over the war in Gaza, becoming the first European Union country to impose such ...

8 hours ago

A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City, July 4, 2025. (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa)
8 hours ago

Slovenia Becomes First EU Nation to Ban Weapons Trade with Israel

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance take part in ceremonies in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., May 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
8 hours ago

Trump Suggests Vance Is His Likely Heir Apparent in 2028

9 hours ago

Former Fresno City Attorney Returns to Serve as County Counsel

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters ahed of boarding Marine One to depart for New Jersey, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 1, 2025. (Reuters)
9 hours ago

Trump to Host Armenia, Azerbaijan Leaders for Peace Talks on Friday, US Official Says

Two suspects are being sought in Fresno after allegedly starting a fire on July 15, 2025, at 2097 W. Shaw Avenue, and Valley Crime Stoppers is asking for anonymous tips. (Valley Crime Stoppers)
9 hours ago

Two Suspects Wanted in Alleged Fresno Arson at T.J. Maxx on Shaw Avenue

Garry Bredefeld Pride Parade
10 hours ago

‘Yes’ to Outreach, ‘No’ to Condoms. Fresno Supervisors Rein in County Holidays

President Donald Trump shouts to reporters as he walks on the roof of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 5, 2025. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
11 hours ago

Trump Declines to Say if He Supports or Opposes Potential Gaza Takeover by Israel

A three-vehicle crash on Herndon Avenue in Fresno prompted police to block off the area Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after one car was spun around, though no injuries were reported. (GV Wire)
11 hours ago

Fresno Three-Vehicle Crash Slows Traffic on Herndon Avenue

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend