Chronic corruption and dirty tricks: Beirutis demand lasting change

Many in Lebanon hope a new government of national unity will pave the way for reform after last week's explosion

In the wake of Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab's announcement that his government will resign, the country has been left wondering whether the explosion that decimated Beirut is also strong enough to uproot Lebanon's rotten political system.

In a televised address on Monday night after more than a third of ministers quit their posts, forcing him to do the same, Diab said that the corruption of the country's entrenched ruling class created this tragedy" but avoided taking personal responsibility.