Why has the government resigned?
- Former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri was forced to step down after the biggest demonstrations in decades that have been going on since last autumn in Lebanon. The massive protests were directed at the corrupt government that has held the country in its grip since the end of the civil war almost 30 years ago, says Stina Blomgren.
What happens now?
- The new government presented yesterday, according to new Prime Minister Hassan Diab, would consist of experts - to take Lebanon out of the extremely deep economic crisis in which the country is located.
- But when the list of names became known, it was clear that the same political groupings that the demonstrations were aimed at are behind the new government. And the protests have taken off, protesters are blocking roads and bridges across the country today.
What does this mean for the population?
- Those who protest now see this government as more of the same old corrupt leadership. The government is dominated by the Iran-backed Hezbollah Party and their allies. Critics see it as risky because Hezbollah is terrorist-stamped by, among others, the United States and Lebanon is in urgent need of financial support from the outside right now.
- The country is on the brink of economic bankruptcy and people have not been able to withdraw their money from the bank in recent months. So for ordinary Lebanese, poverty is now increasing with the deep crisis.