Lebanon’s prime minister says he will QUIT in wake of huge anti-corruption protests against the country’s ruling elite
- Lebanese Prime Minister said he would submit his resignation in Tuesday speech
- Saad al-Hariri said he has hit a ‘dead end’ in trying to resolve the political crisis
- Lebanon has been paralysed by mass wave of protests against the political class
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said he would submit his resignation, declaring he had hit a ‘dead end’ in trying to resolve a crisis unleashed by huge protests against Lebanon’s ruling elite.
The Sunni politician addressed the nation in a televised address on Tuesday after a mob loyal to Shi’ite Muslim groups Hezbollah and Amal attacked and destroyed a protest camp set up by anti-government demonstrators in Beirut.
Lebanon has been paralysed by the unprecedented wave of protests against the rampant corruption of the political class that has collectively led Lebanon into the worst economic crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday. He said he would submit his resignation, declaring he had hit a ‘dead end’ in trying to resolve the political crisis
The Lebanese army (left) and security forces (right) intervene between clashing demonstrators and counter-protesters in the centre of capital Beirut on Tuesday
Medics assist an injured man after an attack on a campsite set up by anti-government protesters Tuesday
‘For 13 days the Lebanese people have waited for a decision for a political solution that stops the deterioration (of the economy). And I have tried, during this period, to find a way out, through which to listen to the voice of the people,’ Hariri said in his speech.
‘It is time for us to have a big shock to face the crisis. I am going to the Baabda (presidential) palace to present the resignation of the government. To all partners in political life, our responsibility today is how we protect Lebanon and revive its economy.’
In central Beirut, black-clad men wielding sticks and pipes wrecked the protest camp that has been the focal point of countrywide rallies against the long entrenched elite.
A French photographer is attacked by Hezbollah supporters while covering clashes between them and anti-government protesters in Beirut on Tuesday. The violence came shortly after a dozen others wielding sticks attacked a roadblock on a main Beirut thoroughfare set up by the protesters
Lebanese police stand near destroyed tents set up by anti-government protesters in Beirut on Tuesday
A riot policeman removes a tent that was set on fire by Hezbollah supporters who burned and destroyed the tents in the protest camp on Tuesday in Beirut
The turmoil has worsened Lebanon’s acute economic crisis, with financial strains leading to a scarcity of hard currency and a weakening of the pegged Lebanese pound. Lebanese government bonds tumbled on the turmoil.
The show of force in Beirut came after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said last week roads closed by protesters should be reopened and suggested the demonstrators were financed by its foreign enemies and implementing their agenda.
It is the most serious strife on the streets of Beirut since 2008, when Hezbollah fighters seized control of the capital in a brief eruption of armed conflict with Lebanese adversaries loyal to Hariri.
Tents of anti-government protesters are damaged after their camp was targeted by supporters of Hezbollah during anti-government protests in Beirut
Lebanese security forces fire tear gas to contain confrontations between demonstrators and counter-protesters in the centre of Beirut on Tuesday
Lebanese security forces keep watch following confrontations between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators in the centre of Beirut on Tuesday
Smoke rose as some of the protester tents were set ablaze by Hezbollah and Amal supporters, who earlier fanned out in the downtown area of the capital shouting ‘Shia, Shia’ in reference to themselves and cursing anti-government demonstrators.
‘With our blood and lives we offer ourselves as a sacrifice for you Nabih,’ they chanted in reference to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, head of the Amal Movement. ‘We heed your call, we heed your call, Nasrallah,’ they chanted.
Security forces did not initially intervene to stop the assault, in which protesters were hit with sticks and were seen appealing for help as they ran, witnesses said. Tear gas was eventually fired to disperse the crowds.
A riot policeman fires tear gas towards Hezbollah supporters who burned and destroyed protester’s tents in Beirut on Tuesday