Unrest Grips Beirut as Protesters Occupy Foreign Ministry Building

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has vowed to hold early elections as his beleaguered government faces calls to resign.
Beirut erupted in violent protest on Saturday, days after an explosion ripped through the city laying waste to large parts of the Lebanese capital.
Diab said as quoted by CNN he would introduce a law calling for early elections and said he would remain in government for two months until major parties can reach an agreement.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters hurled stones and fireworks at security forces. Parts of the central district were set ablaze and protesters took over at least one government ministry, declaring it the “headquarters of the revolution.”
Protesters occupied a foreign affairs ministry building and set at least one government office on fire, throwing documents out of the window, as unrest spread through the city.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators poured into Beirut’s Martyr’s Square calling for “revenge” against the ruling class of politicians widely held responsible for the explosion that lay waste to large swathes of Lebanon’s capital.
Lebanon was already embroiled in an economic meltdown prior to Tuesday’s blast which obliterated its main port, destroying grain silos. The international community has already sent emergency medical and food supplies to the country and are pledging tens of millions of dollars in funds.
Five members of parliament have resigned in protest, in addition to some high-profile official resignations. Authorities have detained 16 people in connection with the blast, including Director General of Lebanese Customs, Badri Daher, the head of Beirut Port, Hasan Kraytem and the former head of customs Chafic Merei..