Move FM Global News

BEIRUT, Lebanon – The Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri has submitted his resignation, and that of his government to President Michel Aoun in the face of protests which have devastated the country, and forced it’s banks to be closed for the past 10 days.

The protests began over a proposed tax on What’s App almost two weeks ago. The proposal was scrapped within hours of it being proposed, but the momentum for the protests had already been unleashed.

Protesters are angry with the state of the economy, the quality of public services, and corruption among public officials.

Hariri said he and his government had reached a dead-end aftyer spening the last fortnight trying to have a dialogie with, and to meet the demands of the protesters.

“We have reached a deadlock and we need a shock in order to brave through the crisis,” he said in a televised national address from the capital, Beirut on Tuesday.

“I’m heading to the presidential palace to tender the resignation of the government. This is in response to the will and demand of the thousands of Lebanese demanding change,” he said.

Lebanon has been brought to a state of paralysis wioth major highways blocked, the banks shuttered, schools closed, and business disrupted.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke out against Hariri resigning, saying it would leave a void in Lebanon.

Protesters however cheered the announcement of the resignation.

The resignation comes amidst increased activity by Israeli forces which, according to NNA (the Lebanese National News Agency), (Israeli aircraft and naval vessels) have entered Lebanese territory multiple times in recent days.

The Lebanon Army has also warned Lebanese citizens not to sign on as friends to Facebook accounts which are actively seeking to connect, that it says are being covertly operated by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. “The army leadership calls on citizens to be alert and not to be dragged into these attempts to penetrate Lebanese society in order to spread chaos and create sedition among the Lebanese,” said a statement from the Lebanese Army on Tuesday.

(File photo).