Hassan Diab, a 69-year-old sociology professor has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1980 Paris synagogue bombing. The ruling by a Paris court was made in absentia and follows the prosecutors' request for the maximum possible punishment. The decision as per AFP was met with silence in the court.

Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian sociology professor, and a resident of Canada, speaking to the press in Ottawa called the verdict "not fair" and labelled it "Kafkaesque" i.e., something that has&nbsp;"a nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical quality"&nbsp;— incidentally the same phrase was used by former UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab, who was recently forced to resign following allegations of bullying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-uk-deputy-pm-dominic-raab-resigns-after-bullying-allegations-584747">UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab resigns, says inquiry set threshold for bullying 'so low</a>

"We'd hoped reason would prevail," Diab said as per AFP. He also said that he expects Canada not to send him back to France to serve the sentence.

Prosecutors, however, in their closing arguments said there was "no possible doubt" that Diab — who happens to be the only suspect — was behind the attack.

The 1980 Paris Synagogue attack was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II. It claimed the lives of four people and injured 46 others.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-death-toll-in-coal-mine-blast-rises-to-seven-584964">Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven</a>

On October 3, 1980, explosives placed on a motorcycle detonated close to a synagogue on the Rue Copernic in Paris's chic 16th district.

Police suspected a splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine for the attack, but no organisation claimed responsibility. In 1999, French intelligence accused&nbsp;Diab of making the&nbsp;10-kilogramme (22-pound) bomb&nbsp;used in the attack. Evidence included his likeness to police sketches, handwriting analysis confirming him as the buyer of the bike used in attack, and a passport with his name and entry/exit stamps from Spain, where the attack plan is believed to have originated.

However, in the subsequent investigation, judges were unable to prove Diab's guilt, and in 2018 he was released. He left France for Canada, a free man. Three years later, this decision was overturned and a French court ordered that he must stand trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and destruction of property in connection with a terrorist enterprise.

Hassan Diab, a 69-year-old sociology professor has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1980 Paris synagogue bombing. The ruling by a Paris court was made in absentia and follows the prosecutors' request for the maximum possible punishment.

Hassan Diab, a 69-year-old sociology professor has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1980 Paris synagogue bombing. The ruling by a Paris court was made in absentia and follows the prosecutors' request for the maximum possible punishment. The decision as per AFP was met with silence in the court. Diab, a Lebanese-Canadian sociology professor, and a resident of Canada, speaking to the press in Ottawa called the verdict "not fair" and labelled it "Kafkaesque" i.e., something that has "a nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical quality" — incidentally the same phrase was used by former UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab, who was recently forced to resign following allegations of bullying. Also read | UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab resigns, says inquiry set threshold for bullying 'so low "We'd hoped reason would prevail," Diab said as per AFP. He also said that he expects Canada not to send him back to France to serve the sentence. Prosecutors, however, in their closing arguments said there was "no possible doubt" that Diab — who happens to be the only suspect — was behind the attack. The 1980 Paris Synagogue attack was the first deadly attack against a Jewish target on French soil since World War II. It claimed the lives of four people and injured 46 others. Also read | Colombia: Death toll in coal mine blast rises to seven On October 3, 1980, explosives placed on a motorcycle detonated close to a synagogue on the Rue Copernic in Paris's chic 16th district. Police suspected a splinter group of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine for the attack, but no organisation claimed responsibility. In 1999, French intelligence accused Diab of making the 10-kilogramme (22-pound) bomb used in the attack. Evidence included his likeness to police sketches, handwriting analysis confirming him as the buyer of the bike used in attack, and a passport with his name and entry/exit stamps from Spain, where the attack plan is believed to have originated. However, in the subsequent investigation, judges were unable to prove Diab's guilt, and in 2018 he was released. He left France for Canada, a free man. Three years later, this decision was overturned and a French court ordered that he must stand trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and destruction of property in connection with a terrorist enterprise.

69-year-old sociology professor Hassan Diab sentenced to life for 1980 Paris synagogue bombing

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/diapers-and-rags-lebanon-crisis-plunges-women-into-period-poverty-395140">Lebanon</a> battles economic meltdown&nbsp;amid a raging political crisis, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said today that the country is days away from a&nbsp;"social explosion".

"The Lebanese are facing this dark fate alone," Diab told ambassadors during a meeting in Beirut.

Diab had taken over as the interim PM after the catastrophic explosions in August last year in Beirut in which over 200 people were killed.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lebanons-economic-crisis-among-worlds-worst-since-1850s-388829/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The country has been unable to form a stable government since the massive port explosion even as Diab stated that only a new cabinet could restart talks with IMF.

The Lebanon prime minister appealed to the international community to "save Lebanese from death and prevent Lebanon's demise" and urged international donors to release financial aid to the country.

Diab said linking aid with government formation was threatening the lives of the people as&nbsp;the Lebanese people pay a heavy price with funds halted.

The country has failed to form a working government in the past eleven months even as the World Bank raised alarm over the country's dire economic state.

The country was plunged into an economic crisis as it battled the coronavirus pandemic as mass protests erupted. Amid the economic crisis, the value of the Lebanese pound has fallen drastically compounding the already bleak economic situation in the country.

Diab said: "Lebanon is passing through a very dark tunnel, and the suffering has reached the point of tragedy," while adding, "Lebanon is a few days away from the social explosion."

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Lebanon battles economic meltdown amid a raging political crisis, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said today that the country is days away from a "social explosion".

As Lebanon battles economic meltdown amid a raging political crisis, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said today that the country is days away from a "social explosion". "The Lebanese are facing this dark fate alone," Diab told ambassadors during a meeting in Beirut. Diab had taken over as the interim PM after the catastrophic explosions in August last year in Beirut in which over 200 people were killed. Watch: The country has been unable to form a stable government since the massive port explosion even as Diab stated that only a new cabinet could restart talks with IMF. The Lebanon prime minister appealed to the international community to "save Lebanese from death and prevent Lebanon's demise" and urged international donors to release financial aid to the country. Diab said linking aid with government formation was threatening the lives of the people as the Lebanese people pay a heavy price with funds halted. The country has failed to form a working government in the past eleven months even as the World Bank raised alarm over the country's dire economic state. The country was plunged into an economic crisis as it battled the coronavirus pandemic as mass protests erupted. Amid the economic crisis, the value of the Lebanese pound has fallen drastically compounding the already bleak economic situation in the country. Diab said: "Lebanon is passing through a very dark tunnel, and the suffering has reached the point of tragedy," while adding, "Lebanon is a few days away from the social explosion." (With inputs from Agencies)

Lebanon few days away from social explosion: PM Diab

Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab,&nbsp;61, today announced the resignation of his government after four cabinet ministers quit amid street protests in the aftermath of the Beirut blasts.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/beirut-explosions-158-killed-6000-injured-resentment-pours-out-on-the-streets-ground-report-319549/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I declare today the resignation of this government," Diab announced as anger poured into the street after the blasts in Lebanon's capital.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-lebanons-justice-minister-quits-amid-protests-over-beirut-blasts-319462">Also Read:&nbsp;Now, Lebanon's justice minister quits amid protests over Beirut blasts</a>

"Today we are heeding the people and their demands to hold accountable those responsible for a disaster that has been concealed for seven years," &nbsp;Diab said, adding,"between us and change stands a thick wall protected by their dirty tactics."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, France called for "rapid formation"&nbsp;of new government in Lebanon&nbsp;

Lebanon finance minister Ghazi Wazni was the latest to resign from the government after the justice minister Marie Claude Najem, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar had resigned earlier.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wion-reports-from-beirut-lebanon-government-resigns-319581/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the health ministry, at least 160 people were killed in the Beirut blasts last week which igninted protests against the government.

Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 61, today announced the resignation of his government after four cabinet ministers quit amid street protests in the aftermath of the Beirut blasts.

Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab, 61, today announced the resignation of his government after four cabinet ministers quit amid street protests in the aftermath of the Beirut blasts. Watch: "I declare today the resignation of this government," Diab announced as anger poured into the street after the blasts in Lebanon's capital. Also Read: Now, Lebanon's justice minister quits amid protests over Beirut blasts "Today we are heeding the people and their demands to hold accountable those responsible for a disaster that has been concealed for seven years," Diab said, adding,"between us and change stands a thick wall protected by their dirty tactics." Meanwhile, France called for "rapid formation" of new government in Lebanon Lebanon finance minister Ghazi Wazni was the latest to resign from the government after the justice minister Marie Claude Najem, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar had resigned earlier. According to the health ministry, at least 160 people were killed in the Beirut blasts last week which igninted protests against the government.

Lebanon Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government resigns over Beirut blasts

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut.&nbsp;

Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-for-lebanon-to-hold-transparent-investigation-into-blast-319274">Trump calls for Lebanon to hold 'transparent investigation' into blast</a>

Earlier on Thursday, Najem visited the site of the incident, where she faced a group of angry protesters, who hurled bottles towards her, asking her to leave the place.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-doubles-its-lebanon-aid-to-63-million-euros-319268">European Commission doubles its Lebanon aid to 63 million euros</a>

On Sunday, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar resigned as escalating protests against Diab government continue to rise.&nbsp;

Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators on Monday too gathered around Martyrs' Square near the port that saw the explosion amid the rising anger against the government.&nbsp;

"Those who died paid the price of a state that doesn't care about anything except power and money," said Tamara, 23, a protester who lost her friend Rawan, 20, in the blast, as quoted by news agency AFP.

"It's not enough that ministers resign," said her friend Michel.

Police started firing teargas after protesters threw stones towards them and carried out fireworks near a street leading to Parliament.&nbsp;

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut. Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000.

Lebanon's justice minister resigned on Monday, becoming the third from the cabinet to quit following the deadly explosion in the capital Beirut. Marie Claude Najem handed over her resignation to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose government is scheduled to meet today in the evening to discuss the blast on August 4 that killed at least 158 people and injured about 6,000. Also read | Trump calls for Lebanon to hold 'transparent investigation' into blast Earlier on Thursday, Najem visited the site of the incident, where she faced a group of angry protesters, who hurled bottles towards her, asking her to leave the place. Also read | European Commission doubles its Lebanon aid to 63 million euros On Sunday, information minister Manal Abdel Samad and environment minister Damianos Kattar resigned as escalating protests against Diab government continue to rise. Earlier, hundreds of demonstrators on Monday too gathered around Martyrs' Square near the port that saw the explosion amid the rising anger against the government. "Those who died paid the price of a state that doesn't care about anything except power and money," said Tamara, 23, a protester who lost her friend Rawan, 20, in the blast, as quoted by news agency AFP. "It's not enough that ministers resign," said her friend Michel. Police started firing teargas after protesters threw stones towards them and carried out fireworks near a street leading to Parliament.

Now, Lebanon's justice minister quits amid protests over Beirut blasts

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Saturday said he would propose early elections to break the impasse that is plunging the country deeper into political and economic crisis every day.

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Saturday said he would propose early elections to break the impasse that is plunging the country deeper into political and economic crisis every day. "We can't exit the country's structural crisis without holding early parliamentary elections," Diab said in a televised address, adding that he would propose early polls to cabinet on Monday. Diab on Saturday called on all political parties to put their disagreements aside and work together. Also read: Police fire tear gas at Beirut protesters angry over explosion He said he is ready to stay in the post for two months to allow for politicians to work together on implementing structural reforms. The PM's remarks come after an explosion fueled by thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate killed more than 154 and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Meanwhile, a protest broke out in the capital over the government's handling of this week's devastating explosion in the city. About 5,000 people gathered in Martyrs' Square in the city centre, some throwing stones. Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said. (With inputs from agencies)

Lebanon PM Diab to call for early polls after deadly Beirut blast

Protesters took to the streets of Lebanon to demonstrate against the newly named Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who they accuse of being part of the same corrupt political system against which they have been rallying for two months.

Crowds lit tyres on fire and overturned garbage bins in capital Beirut. Some people also demonstrated outside the parliament building.

Demonstrators refused to accept the Hezbollah backed Lebanese academic and former minister Daib as their Prime Minister, saying that he represented the elite and not the masses.

While Diab gathered the political backing of Hezbollah-allied parliamentary blocs, he failed to gather the support of parties from his Sunni community.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Diab said he would quickly form a government to pull the country out of its worst economic crisis since the civil war which ended in 1990.

The not so famously known 60-year-old engineering professor at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is set to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri who was forced to resign on October 29th.

Protesters took to the streets of Lebanon to demonstrate against the newly named Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who they accuse of being part of the same corrupt political system against which they have been rallying for two months.

Protesters took to the streets of Lebanon to demonstrate against the newly named Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who they accuse of being part of the same corrupt political system against which they have been rallying for two months. Crowds lit tyres on fire and overturned garbage bins in capital Beirut. Some people also demonstrated outside the parliament building. Demonstrators refused to accept the Hezbollah backed Lebanese academic and former minister Daib as their Prime Minister, saying that he represented the elite and not the masses. While Diab gathered the political backing of Hezbollah-allied parliamentary blocs, he failed to gather the support of parties from his Sunni community. Meanwhile, Diab said he would quickly form a government to pull the country out of its worst economic crisis since the civil war which ended in 1990. The not so famously known 60-year-old engineering professor at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is set to replace the outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri who was forced to resign on October 29th.

Lebanon back on streets to protest against newly named Prime Minister Hassan Diab

Lebanon’s head of state has named Hassan Diab as the new prime minister in an effort to break a political deadlock that has paralysed the country and left it unable to deal with a dire financial crisis that threatens to sink its economy within weeks. However, the country is protesting against the new PM whom they believe is the part of the same corrupt system. #LebanonProtest #HassanDiab

Lebanon protest against new PM Hassan Diab, believe PM part of corrupt life

Protesters took to the streets of Lebanon on Thursday to demonstrate against the Hezbollah-backed newly named prime minister Hassan Diab. #Lebanon #LebanonPM #Hezbollah #Hassan Diab

Fires on the streets of Lebanon as new PM appointed

Lebanon's new prime minister-designate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-back-on-streets-to-protest-against-newly-named-prime-minister-hassan-diab-269294">Hassan Diab</a> said in an interview with Deutsche Welle he will work on forming a government within six weeks to help pull the country out of a deepening economic and political crisis.

Diab, an academic and former education minister, was designated on Thursday as the country's next prime minister with the support of Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies.

"Previous governments in the last decade took a year to form and I seek to form a government in the next four weeks or a period that does not exceed six weeks," Diab said.

The designation set the stage for a cabinet that excludes allies of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-two-iranian-judges-for-overseeing-iranian-regimes-miscarriage-of-justice-269258">United States</a> and Sunni Gulf Arab countries while underlining the influence of Iran's friends in&nbsp;Lebanon. The move would complicate efforts to secure Western financial aid, analysts say.

Senior US&nbsp;State Department official David Hale, who arrived on Friday to underline Washington's support for&nbsp;Lebanon's stability, urged the country's bickering political leaders to implement speedy economic reforms.

"I am here to encourage Lebanese political leaders to commit and undertake meaningful, sustained reforms that can lead to a stable, prosperous, secure&nbsp;Lebanon," Under-Secretary David Hale said after meeting President Michel Aoun at&nbsp;Lebanon's Baabda palace.

"It's time to put aside partisan interests and act in the national interest, advancing reforms and form a government committed to undertaking these reforms and capable of doing so," Hale added.

Lebanon, in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-90 civil war, has been seeking a new government since Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on October&nbsp;29 in response to protests against the ruling elite.

Diab, who failed to get the support of Hariri under a sectarian political system that leaves the post of the premier to a Sunni Muslim, dismissed accusations that the government would be under the thumb of Hezbollah. Hariri is the country's main Sunni politician.

"This matter is silly because the new government will not be a government of a political grouping chosen from here or there," Diab added.

Lebanon's new prime minister-designate Hassan Diab said in an interview with Deutsche Welle he will work on forming a government within six weeks to help pull the country out of a deepening economic and political crisis.

Lebanon's new prime minister-designate Hassan Diab said in an interview with Deutsche Welle he will work on forming a government within six weeks to help pull the country out of a deepening economic and political crisis. Diab, an academic and former education minister, was designated on Thursday as the country's next prime minister with the support of Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies. "Previous governments in the last decade took a year to form and I seek to form a government in the next four weeks or a period that does not exceed six weeks," Diab said. The designation set the stage for a cabinet that excludes allies of the United States and Sunni Gulf Arab countries while underlining the influence of Iran's friends in Lebanon. The move would complicate efforts to secure Western financial aid, analysts say. Senior US State Department official David Hale, who arrived on Friday to underline Washington's support for Lebanon's stability, urged the country's bickering political leaders to implement speedy economic reforms. "I am here to encourage Lebanese political leaders to commit and undertake meaningful, sustained reforms that can lead to a stable, prosperous, secure Lebanon," Under-Secretary David Hale said after meeting President Michel Aoun at Lebanon's Baabda palace. "It's time to put aside partisan interests and act in the national interest, advancing reforms and form a government committed to undertaking these reforms and capable of doing so," Hale added. Lebanon, in its worst economic crisis since the 1975-90 civil war, has been seeking a new government since Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on October 29 in response to protests against the ruling elite. Diab, who failed to get the support of Hariri under a sectarian political system that leaves the post of the premier to a Sunni Muslim, dismissed accusations that the government would be under the thumb of Hezbollah. Hariri is the country's main Sunni politician. "This matter is silly because the new government will not be a government of a political grouping chosen from here or there," Diab added.

Lebanon's new PM aims to form government within six weeks: Report

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