The disputed Lebanese Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, announced this Saturday evening that he would propose early parliamentary elections in the country shaken by the deadly explosions at the port of Beirut, for which the population blames the political class.
The head of government estimated in a televised speech that only "early elections can make it possible to get out of the structural crisis". "I call on all political parties to agree on the next step," added Hassan Diab. Their leaders "do not have much time, I am ready to continue to assume my responsibilities for two months until they come to an agreement," he added.
Under pressure
The head of government, who formed his cabinet in January after Saad Hariri resigned at the end of October under pressure from a popular protest movement, added that he would submit his proposal to the Council of Ministers on Monday.
His speech came as thousands of Lebanese demonstrated in downtown Beirut, demanding accountability from power after the explosion at the port of the capital on Tuesday that devastated entire neighborhoods and left more than 150 dead and 6,000 wounded.
This rally degenerated in places in the evening with violence between demonstrators and the police, while other protesters stormed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proclaiming it "headquarters of the Revolution".
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