Lebanon has been plunged into deeper uncertainty after Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation.
Speaking after clashes at the mass protests that have called for an end to corruption and an overhaul of the ruling class, Hariri said he wanted to make a “positive shock” that served “the country’s dignity and safety”.
In a televised address, the prime minister said he had reached a “dead end,” adding: “For 13 days, the Lebanese people have waited for a decision for a political solution that stops the deterioration. And I have tried, during this period, to find a way out, through which to listen to the voice of the people.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He has spent the last two weeks attempting unsuccessfully to placate demonstrators by offering reforms, including the scrapping of cabinet positions, and spending reforms. However, his moves failed to stem the tide of anger in a country that has one of the highest debt levels in the world, The Guardian says.
His resignation brings to an end the unity government that the three-time prime minister has led for less than two years.
Protesters in downtown Beirut cheered as Hariri announced his departure. However, many said that the prime minister’s move will not dampen their uprising. “Saad Hariri is only the beginning,” one told a local TV channel.
The protests “began against now-scrapped plans to tax WhatsApp calls”, The BBC says, but “quickly widened to target political corruption and economic turmoil”.
The militant group, Hezbollah, which has dominated the ruling coalition has taken a hard line against the protests. The group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah said last week that the protests were part of an international conspiracy.
Yesterday, black-clad men reportedly connected to Hezbollah destroyed a protest camp in central Beirut, setting tents on fire and beating anti-government demonstrators. Riot police and troops fired tear gas to try and separate the rival groups.
Assuming he accepts Hariri's resignation, President Aoun will have to consult parliament to form another government. Analysts predict that this will be a tricky process.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
Will Republicans kill the filibuster to end the shutdown?Talking Points GOP officials contemplate the ‘nuclear option’
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
‘France may well be in store for a less than rocambolesque future’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
‘Extraordinary asymmetry’: the history of Israeli prisoner swapsIn The Spotlight Exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees is the latest in a series of trades in which Israeli lives appear to count for more
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Disarming Hezbollah: Lebanon's risky missionTalking Point Iran-backed militia has brought 'nothing but war, division and misery', but rooting them out for good is a daunting and dangerous task
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping missionSpeed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
