Saphora Smith and Mo Abbas - NBC News
The Lebanese government resigned in full on Monday after the consequences of the massive deadly explosion in Beirut that devastated much of the capital deepened the political crisis in that country.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced that he would resign along with all his ministers. "We will back down and support the people. We need to open the door to the people," he said in a speech to the nation.
The announcement comes after angry protesters and world leaders demanded political reform following the Aug. 4 explosion that killed nearly 160 people and injured thousands more.
The protesters took to the streets of Beirut again on Sunday and were dispersed with tear gas as they congregated in a street near Parliament, various videos show.
Last week's explosion, which sent a mushroom cloud over the port of Beirut, dealt a blow to a country already mired in deep crisis.
Almost a week after the devastating explosion, public anger has no sign of abating.
The deflagration was triggered when a warehouse fire exploded hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, according to Diab.
The huge shock wave that affected thousands of homes and buildings destroying glass and walls, which has led a large part of the population of that area of the city to seek a roof in other places.
Protesters blame the ruling elite for the mismanagement and corruption behind the explosion and as well as other problems plaguing the country. "They literally blew us up. We have nothing to lose," shouted a group of protesters at a rally organized on Saturday.
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The scenes of public fury came as world leaders pledged millions in emergency aid to the capital devastated by the country's explosion in a teleconference co-organized by France and the United Nations. US President Donald Trump was among the participants, as well as leaders from the Arab Gulf states, China and the European Union.
Beirut experiences its second day of massive protests over the explosion
Aug. 9, 202000: 23"The international community, Lebanon's closest friends and partners, will not disappoint the Lebanese people," the president of that conference said in a final statement on Sunday.
The participants agreed to help meet the immediate needs of Beirut and the Lebanese people through emergency assistance programs and agreed that it would be "delivered directly to the Lebanese population."
They warned that any support for the country's economic and financial recovery would depend on the Lebanese authorities committing to the economic and political reforms demanded by the Lebanese people, the statement said.
However, the resignation of the government is not a panacea for Lebanon's problems.
The country is facing the worst economic crisis in its modern history and is affected by rising unemployment, rising prices and the fall of the Lebanese pound. Hunger is spreading throughout the country and already affects 6.8 million people.
Beirut tries to rise up after brutal explosion that left thousands homeless
Aug. 7, 202001: 13Protesters have been fighting for change since October last year when the government announced aggressive fiscal measures, infuriating Lebanese citizens whose frustration with the government had been mounting for years.
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets at the time, demonstrating against what they see as endemic corruption among the Lebanese political class who protesters say reaps the benefits of their office as ordinary citizens struggle to make ends meet.
On October 29, less than two weeks after the protests broke out, Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned saying he had reached a "dead end".
The new government formed in January was dominated by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and its allies, whom Iran backs.
The resignation of the government could mean a blow to the militant group classified by the United States as a terrorist organization.
