Many believe the government's resignation will do little to change political deadlock and
economic crisis.
Angry Lebanese have demanded the removal of what they see
as a corrupt ruling class to blame for the country's woes,
adding that the government's resignation on Monday did not
come near to addressing the tragedy of last week's Beirut
explosion.
A protest with the slogan "Bury the authorities first" was
planned near the port, where highly explosive material stored
for years exploded on August 4, killing at least 163 people,
injuring 6,000 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab, announcing his cabinet's
resignation, blamed endemic corruption for the explosion, the
biggest in Beirut's history and which compounded a deep
financial crisis that has collapsed the currency, paralysed the
banking system and forced up prices.
"I said before that corruption is rooted in every juncture of the
state but I have discovered that corruption is greater than the
state," he said, blaming the political elite for blocking reforms.
Talks with the International Monetary Fund have stalled amid a
dispute between the government, banks and politicians over
the scale of vast financial losses.
For many Lebanese, the explosion was the last straw in a
protracted crisis over the collapse of the economy, corruption,
waste and dysfunctional government.
"It does not end with the government's resignation," said the
protest flyer circulating on social media.
"There is still [President Michel] Aoun, [Parliament Speaker
Nabih] Berri and the entire system."
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