Lebanon’s Information Minister, Manal Abdel Samad (pictured) has announced her resignation following the devastating explosion that rocked Beirut this week.
Ms Abdel Samad is the highest ranking Lebanese official to resign since the blast, which killed at least 154 people and wounded thousands more.
She cited the explosion and the government’s reform failure as the reason behind her resignation.
“After the enormous Beirut catastrophe, I announce my resignation from government,” she said in a statement.
On live TV, Ms Abdel Samad said she had resigned “in response to the popular will for change”, and that she “bows in front of the spirt of those killed in the explosion”.
“I apologise to the Lebanese because we were unable to meet their aspirations. Change remained elusive, and since reality did not match the ambitions, and after the horror of the Beirut disaster, I submit my resignation from the government,” she said in a statement.
Elected members of parliament, Neemat Frem, Paula Yacoubian, and three MPs from the Kataeb party have also resigned since the blast.
