Mon 10 August 2020:
Marie-Claude Najm’s resignation comes day after information minister, environment minister stepped down
Lebanon’s justice minister on Monday resigned amid growing public anger following a massive explosion that struck the Lebanon port last week, a source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.
Marie-Claude Najm’s resignation came a day after Information Minister Manal Abdel-Samad and Environment Minister Damianos Kattar stepped down.
Six lawmakers have also resigned from the 128-member parliament in protest over the massive explosion.
Two massive explosions rocked the Beirut Port last Tuesday after a neglected stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse there ignited.
Ammonium nitrate is a chemical substance often used to make bombs and commonly used in fertilizer. Terrorism has been ruled out as a probable cause of the blasts.
The blasts rocked Beirut to its core, registering 3.5 on the Richter scale and shattering buildings miles in the distance. At least 158 people lost their lives, approximately 6,000 were injured and 300,000 have been left homeless.
Lebanon was already in crisis, plagued with severe financial and economic problems and ongoing deep corruption.
Protesters have taken to the streets with violent anti-government demonstrations for the past two nights, storming official buildings and clashing with police.
By Zehra Nur Duz and Ali Abo Rezeg | Anadolu agency
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