Lebanon Information Minister Latest To Resign In Wake Of Beriut Blast

By Emmanuel Awosika

Manal Abdel-Samad, Lebanon’s Information Minister, has handed in her resignation and adds to the list of high-profile exits from government following the Beriut port blast, the AFP reports.

Her resignation comes as public anger against the war-torn country’s ruling class continues to increase. Citizens claim endemic corruption and widespread mismanagement contributed to the explosion. Enormous amounts of explosive material were stored in a Beriut Port warehouse, which detonated and sent shockwave that destroyed hundreds of buildings, killed people and injured many more.

In her resignation letter, Manal Abdel-Samad said that the widespread change desired by the people of Lebanon continued to “elusive”. She expressed regrets at her failure to fulfill the aspirations of the Lebanese people.

“Given the magnitude of the catastrophe caused by the Beirut earthquake that shook the nation and hurt our hearts and minds, and in respect for the martyrs, and the pains of the wounded, missing and displaced, and in response to the public will for change, I resign from the government,” she wrote.

Abdel-Samad’s resignation has led to rumors that the Minister for Environment, Fadi Jreissati, will also resign in the coming weeks. Already, five members of parliament have resigned since Saturday – three from the Christian Kataeb party, one from the Socialist Progressive Party, and one independent.

The Beriut port blast has exacerbated tensions between the government and the citizens of Lebanons. At protests, sighs reading “resign or hang” could be seen, showing the public’s disenchantment with the ruling elite.

Majority of the protests in the wake of the blast have been turned violent with protesters clashing with security agents. In instances, security personnel resorted to using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab has indicated willingness to conduct early elections that may bring about a change in the Lebanese government. However, many remain skeptical about the effectiveness of such efforts in reducing the disturbances that have rocked the nation recently.