The government in Lebanon has stepped down in response to the massive street protest. Lebanon's PM Hasan Diab said that there was a desire for real change in the country. He blamed last week's massive explosion on years of corruption and mismanagement.

Lebanese govt steps down: PM Hasan Diab gives in to public demand, Protests enter day 4

As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis.

This was the first big anti-government protest since the three-month long lockdown has been lifted in the country, to help revive the crippling economy.

The government is negotiating an International Monetary Fund package it hopes will secure billions of dollars in financing to prop up its collapsing economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anti-government-protesters-back-on-streets-after-3-months-pause-in-lebanon-303935">Also watch:&nbsp;Anti-government protesters back on streets after 3 months pause in Lebanon</a>

Protesters marched in the streets wearing face masks and gloves. However, social distancing was not maintained on the streets.

The protests turned violent as people burned garbage bins and ransacked a furniture shop in the capital's upscale shopping district. The shop's windows and doors were broken. People also took out couch from the store to block that road.

Security forces responded by firing rounds of tear gas, footage from Lebanese broadcasters showed.

"The Prime Minister condemns and denounces in the strongest terms, all sectarian slogans ... and calls on all Lebanese and their political and spiritual leaders to exercise awareness and wisdom and cooperate with the army and security services," Prime Minister Hassan Diab wrote on Twitter.

The country is facing extreme economic crisis, which the locals blame on corruption, claiming that the pandemic has only made it worse.

The pound currency has lost more than half of its value on the parallel market, prices have soared, and companies dealing with the double blow of the coronavirus have axed jobs.

(With inputs from Reuters)

As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis.

As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis. This was the first big anti-government protest since the three-month long lockdown has been lifted in the country, to help revive the crippling economy. The government is negotiating an International Monetary Fund package it hopes will secure billions of dollars in financing to prop up its collapsing economy. Also watch: Anti-government protesters back on streets after 3 months pause in Lebanon Protesters marched in the streets wearing face masks and gloves. However, social distancing was not maintained on the streets. The protests turned violent as people burned garbage bins and ransacked a furniture shop in the capital's upscale shopping district. The shop's windows and doors were broken. People also took out couch from the store to block that road. Security forces responded by firing rounds of tear gas, footage from Lebanese broadcasters showed. "The Prime Minister condemns and denounces in the strongest terms, all sectarian slogans ... and calls on all Lebanese and their political and spiritual leaders to exercise awareness and wisdom and cooperate with the army and security services," Prime Minister Hassan Diab wrote on Twitter. The country is facing extreme economic crisis, which the locals blame on corruption, claiming that the pandemic has only made it worse. The pound currency has lost more than half of its value on the parallel market, prices have soared, and companies dealing with the double blow of the coronavirus have axed jobs. (With inputs from Reuters)

Masks and gloves clad Lebanese join anti-government protests

Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up.

Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since former prime minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests.

Demonstrators are demanding an overhaul of the political establishment which they deem corrupt and inept, insisting on a government of independents and experts with no ties to the country's sectarian parties.

Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old engineering professor, was designated prime minister on Thursday with backing from the country's Iran-aligned Shiite Hezbollah movement and its allies.

But Hariri's Sunni bloc did not endorse his nomination, along with other key Christian and Druze Muslim parties and have said they will not take part in Diab's government.&nbsp;

Diab, considered a technocrat, is hoping to set up the new cabinet within four to six weeks and has said he wanted to choose experts to join the line-up, calling on demonstrators to give him a "chance" to carry out the task.

The challenges he must overcome became clear however from the onset of Saturday's talks with various officials and lawmakers.

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri said he "insists on securing representation for all parliamentary groups," in the next government -- a position shared by his Shiite Amal party and Hezbollah.

Samir al-Jisr, a deputy from Hariri's Future Movement, urged Diab to form a government "of independent experts not affiliated with established political parties," to rescue Lebanon from the brink of collapse.&nbsp;

"Considering that this government, just like Diab's nomination, will be supported by only one political stripe, then its formation should take less than" a month or six weeks, he said after meeting the premier-designate.

He was referring to allies Hezbollah, Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Christian President Michel Aoun who chose Diab to form a cabinet.

Financial collapse

Such backing has sparked an uproar, with Sunni supporters of Hariri blocking roads and scuffling with security forces in Beirut and other cities for the past two consecutive nights to voice their opposition for Diab.

Some roads remained blocked on Saturday in Sunni-majority second city Tripoli and in the northern Akkar region.

Hezbollah sought to appease the anger of the protesters on Saturday, insisting that the next government will not be lopsided.

"No one should think the government will be one of confrontation or one endorsed by only one political stripe," said Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad after meeting Diab.

The new government, he said, will seek to "revitalise" the economy that has taken a beating since the unprecedented protests began on October 17.

Since then, tensions have been heightened by the looming bankruptcy of the debt-burdened Lebanese state.

A dollar-liquidity crisis has pushed banks to impose informal capital controls on dollar deposits and the Lebanese pound, officially pegged to the US dollar, has lost around 30 percent of its value on the black market.

The faltering economy has pushed several companies to close, while surviving businesses try to stay open by paying half-salaries and laying off employees.

A recession of more than 0.2 percent is expected for this year, the World Bank says.

The international community, donors, and financial organisations have warned that debt-saddled Lebanon could ill afford any delay in getting a new government.

The United States, France and other allies of Lebanon have warned they would withhold financial support until a government that can demonstrate willingness to reform can be formed.&nbsp;

Multi-confessional Lebanon is ruled by a complex political system that seeks to maintain a fragile equilibrium between political parties representing the country's major confessional sects.&nbsp;

It usually takes months to form a government as political groups haggle over the allocation of cabinet seats and the distribution of ministerial portfolios.

Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up.

Lebanon's prime minister-designate launched consultations Saturday to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse amid political rifts over the cabinet's line-up. Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since former prime minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests. Demonstrators are demanding an overhaul of the political establishment which they deem corrupt and inept, insisting on a government of independents and experts with no ties to the country's sectarian parties. Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old engineering professor, was designated prime minister on Thursday with backing from the country's Iran-aligned Shiite Hezbollah movement and its allies. But Hariri's Sunni bloc did not endorse his nomination, along with other key Christian and Druze Muslim parties and have said they will not take part in Diab's government. Diab, considered a technocrat, is hoping to set up the new cabinet within four to six weeks and has said he wanted to choose experts to join the line-up, calling on demonstrators to give him a "chance" to carry out the task. The challenges he must overcome became clear however from the onset of Saturday's talks with various officials and lawmakers. Parliament speaker Nabih Berri said he "insists on securing representation for all parliamentary groups," in the next government -- a position shared by his Shiite Amal party and Hezbollah. Samir al-Jisr, a deputy from Hariri's Future Movement, urged Diab to form a government "of independent experts not affiliated with established political parties," to rescue Lebanon from the brink of collapse. "Considering that this government, just like Diab's nomination, will be supported by only one political stripe, then its formation should take less than" a month or six weeks, he said after meeting the premier-designate. He was referring to allies Hezbollah, Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement founded by Christian President Michel Aoun who chose Diab to form a cabinet. Financial collapse Such backing has sparked an uproar, with Sunni supporters of Hariri blocking roads and scuffling with security forces in Beirut and other cities for the past two consecutive nights to voice their opposition for Diab. Some roads remained blocked on Saturday in Sunni-majority second city Tripoli and in the northern Akkar region. Hezbollah sought to appease the anger of the protesters on Saturday, insisting that the next government will not be lopsided. "No one should think the government will be one of confrontation or one endorsed by only one political stripe," said Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad after meeting Diab. The new government, he said, will seek to "revitalise" the economy that has taken a beating since the unprecedented protests began on October 17. Since then, tensions have been heightened by the looming bankruptcy of the debt-burdened Lebanese state. A dollar-liquidity crisis has pushed banks to impose informal capital controls on dollar deposits and the Lebanese pound, officially pegged to the US dollar, has lost around 30 percent of its value on the black market. The faltering economy has pushed several companies to close, while surviving businesses try to stay open by paying half-salaries and laying off employees. A recession of more than 0.2 percent is expected for this year, the World Bank says. The international community, donors, and financial organisations have warned that debt-saddled Lebanon could ill afford any delay in getting a new government. The United States, France and other allies of Lebanon have warned they would withhold financial support until a government that can demonstrate willingness to reform can be formed. Multi-confessional Lebanon is ruled by a complex political system that seeks to maintain a fragile equilibrium between political parties representing the country's major confessional sects. It usually takes months to form a government as political groups haggle over the allocation of cabinet seats and the distribution of ministerial portfolios.

Lebanon PM-designate begins tough talks to form government