BEIRUT ( Halbeeg News) – Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri has turned in his resignation to President Michel Oun.
The announcement came on the back of 13 days of mass protests demanding the departure of the country’s entire political elite amid growing anger over corruption, poor public services and years of economic mismanagement.
Hariri said in a televised address that the country has reached a deadlock and there is need to brave through the crisis.
He said the resignation was response to the will and demand of the thousands of Lebanese demanding change in the streets.
His address came after a group of people loyal to the Shia Hezbollah and Amal movements attacked and destroyed a protest camp set up by anti-government demonstrators in Beirut.
President Aoun will now begin consultations towards forming a new government.
It took nine months to form the Hariri coalition cabinet that took office in January this year.
Hariri’s resignation defied the powerful Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah has twice said he was against such a step, citing the risk of a dangerous void.
The two-week crisis has paralyzed Lebanon, closing banks, schools and some businesses.
Similar protest calling for change in the government over corruption and lack of jobs have rocked Iraq.
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