Lebanese ministers resign amid fallout from Beirut explosion

Aug 10, 2020

Several government ministers in Lebanon resigned as protests continue following last week’s deadly explosion, according to local media outlets.

On Monday, Justice Minister Marie-Claude Najm resigned. On Sunday, Information Minister Manal Abdul Samad and Environment Minister Demianos Qattar left their posts, according to Naharnet. Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni has also prepared his resignation, The Daily Star reported. There are unconfirmed reports that the entire government may soon resign.

There were several resignations even before the explosion from officials fed up with the government’s handling of the financial crisis.

A massive explosion occurred in Beirut on Aug. 4 in the capital city’s port. Investigations so far point to 2,700 tons of the fertilizer ammonium nitrate blowing up after being improperly stored. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has suggested “foreign interference” is possible, though there is no conclusive evidence of such a thing at present. A government-led investigation is underway. The blast destroyed much of the port area and damaged buildings up to several miles outside of Beirut. More than 200 people have been confirmed killed so far with thousands more wounded and others still missing.

Many Lebanese blame the government for the explosion and protesters have been out en masse since last week. Many are calling for the entire governmental system to be replaced.

There have been anti-government protests in Lebanon since October against corruption, poor services and the deteriorating economic situation in the country. Things have not improved since then. The currency’s value has plummeted and job losses have gone up due to COVID-19 and the accompanying lockdowns. Electricity cuts, long a problem, are also worsening and parts of Beirut are without power for several hours a day.

The coronavirus situation is also worsening amid the fallout from the blast and renewed demonstrations. Lebanon registered a record 294 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.