Lebanon’s government ousted after Prime Minister Hassan Diab accused endemic corruption of a devastating explosion last week that swept through the capital.
President Michel Aoun on Monday accepted Diab’s resignation and asked the government to remain in a position of capacity until a new cabinet is formed.
Tensions are running high in the country following the huge explosion in the port of Beirut that killed about 200 people and injured 6,000 others, according to the latest tally.
“This crime” was a result of corruption “greater than the state”, Diab said in a television statement, adding that he was to take “a step back” so that he could stand with the people “and fight the battle for change next to them”.
“I declare today the resignation of this government. May God protect Lebanon,” Diab said, repeating the last sentence three times..
The developments follow a weekend of angry, fierce anti-establishment protests in which 728 people were injured and one policeman killed amid a severe collapse by security forces.
Through analysis of videos and images of the security response by the army and men on the day in plain clothes, and examination of medical documents and interviews with doctors treating the injured, Al Jazeera determined that security forces violated international standards about the use of force.
Political and economic reform
The disaster on August 4, which was caused by highly explosive ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the port of Beirut for more than six years, has sparked popular outrage and ended politics in a country already struggling with a major economic crisis.
Most Lebanese blame the corruption and neglect of their leadership before the explosion, which caused damage to the extent of an estimate $ 15 billion and left nearly 300,000 people homeless.
Since October, there have been mass demonstrations demanding the departure of all-sectarian leadership demanding delayed corruption, incompetence and maladministration.
But the ruling oligarchy has held power for so long – since the end of the Civil War in 1990 – that it is difficult to find a credible political figure who is not tainted by connections with them.
Although Diab’s dismissal after the disaster appeared unforgivable, he seemed reluctant to leave and only made a televised speech two days ago in which he offered to stay for two months to get permission from various factions over a roadmap for reform. But the pressure from his closet proved too much.
‘Historic turning point’
Diab’s government was formed after its predecessor, Saad Hariri, came under pressure from the protest movement. It took months of baking under the leadership trades before settling on Diab.
His government, supported by Hezbollah and its allies and seen as one-sided, failed to carry out the urgent political and economic reforms it had promised.
Now the process must begin anew, with Diab’s government in a caring role as the same factions a new debate.
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, Beirut’s reporter, said the change would be challenging because Lebanon’s electoral system was set up “to protect the country’s political elite”.
“To change that system, those political elites need to agree,” Smith said.
“Even an explosion as catastrophic as Tuesday may not be enough to make it easy for those elites to give up their power … That is why international pressure, people believe, is necessary.”
On Sunday, world leaders and international organizations allocated nearly $ 300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut, but warned that no funds would be made available until the Lebanese authorities commit to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people.
Rami Khouri, a professor at the American University of Beirut, described last week’s developments as “a historic turning point in Lebanon’s modern political government” that is “just beginning”.
Khouri said there were actually two main forces at the moment in Lebanon: “One is Hezbollah and its close allies, and the other is the protest movement, as the revolution as they call themselves – these are all kinds of people, but they represent the majority of the population. “
“The question is, will there be a serious negotiation now,” he said, noting that the formation of a “hybrid government” mandate to tackle Lebanon’s critical problems was likely.
“They will have to agree on whether the transitional government that is entering is a serious reformist government, with ‘clean’ and efficient people who can get the support of the international community and can make a quick deal with the IMF. “
Meanwhile, Habib Battah, a Lebanese-based journalist, asked how long the government would stay in place because it is “very difficult” to form a government in Lebanon.
“The Diab government has been working for many months,” Battah said.
He said that while the dismissal could be seen as a victory for the Protestants who see the government as a “corrupt system”, it is important to note that others are benefiting from it.
Political parties control schools and hospitals, including across the country.
“These parties are really hard to oppose in elections,” Battah said, adding that it was up to the international community to stop supporting these parties if it was serious about helping Lebanon.
.
