Lebanon’s Government Resigns In The Wake Of Beirut Explosion
Due to growing pressure from angry protests over the devastating Beirut port blast, the prime minister and his cabinet have announced they will step down
After days of protests Lebanon’s government has announced its resignation. In a televised speech yesterday evening, prime minister Hassan Diab confirmed his government would step down. The resignation comes days after the Beirut explosion occurred, which killed 130 people and left thousands injured.
According to Arabian Business, the announcement was met with cars honking in the streets and celebratory fire in the northern city of Tripoli, yet protests still occurred into the night as security forces clashed with protesters in central Beirut for the third night in a row.
The blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, negligently stored in a port warehouse in the Port of Beirut, decimating the neighbourhoods surrounding it including creating hub Mar Mikhael, Saifi Village and Gemmayze.
Beirut’s fashion industry was deeply affected by the explosion as many emerging designers, creative agencies and brands had their boutiques, studio spaces, offices, raw materials and collections completely destroyed.
The explosion was equivalent to 1,200 tons of TNT, according to Arabian Business. According to documents obtained by Reuters, the government had been warned in July of the risks of storing the ammonium nitrate so close in proximity to the city.
Amine Jreissati, founder and creative director of Boyfriend The Brand, was seriously injured within the blast. Couturier Rabih Kayrouz, founder of Maison Rabih Kayrouz, suffered a small brain haemorrhage and two clots, needing 22 stitches.
It’s estimated that 160 people died within the explosion, 6,000 were injured and 20 people are still missing. Over 300,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes or have been left homeless.
For more information on how you can help the people of Beirut during this difficult time, click here.
Lead image courtesy of Shutterstock.
