Lebanon PM Hassan Diab resigns amid anger over Beirut blast

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab has announced his resignation almost a week after a massive explosion that devastated the capital, Beirut, killing some 200 people and wounding 6,000 others.

Diab made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Monday.

He said that “this crime” was a result of endemic corruption and called for the trying those responsible for the deadly blast.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan told reporters after a cabinet session earlier in the day that the country’s embattled government had already resigned.

The August 4 explosion, which was caused by highly explosive ammonium nitrate that was stored at Beirut’s port for more than six years, has fuelled popular anger and upended politics in a country struggling with a major economic crisis.

More to follow.