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FILE - Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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The scene of the explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut is seen through a damaged apartment in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Rows of destroyed trucks are seen at the site of last week's explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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French emergency workers, part of a special unit working with chemicals, walk next to damaged containers near the site of last week's explosion, in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The unit is identifying potential leaks and securing an area where containers with flammable liquids have been damaged by the blast. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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A soldier walks past damaged vehicles, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Beirut, Lebanon, near the site of last week's explosion that hit the city's seaport. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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A man inspects a destroyed building near the site of last week's explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Earth moving equipment and rescue workers search for victims,Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Beirut, Lebanon, near the site of last week's explosion that hit the city's seaport. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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A woman carries her belongings as she leaves her damaged house, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Beirut, Lebanon, near the site of last week's explosion that hit the city's seaport. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Protesters turn back tear gas canister against the Lebanese riot police, during anti-government protest following Tuesday's massive explosion which devastated Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Protesters throw stones against the Lebanese riot police, during anti-government protest following Tuesday's massive explosion which devastated Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Protesters throw stones against the Lebanese riot police, during anti-government protest following Tuesday's massive explosion which devastated Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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A soldier walks past a damaged car at the site of last week's explosion that hit the city's seaport in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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People stand in their damaged house near the site of last week's explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the devastating explosion, but warned on Sunday that no money for rebuilding the capital will be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lebanon questions security chief, minister quits over blast

By Associated Press International

PUBLISHED 1:30 PM ET Aug. 10, 2020

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s prime minister says he is stepping down from his job in the wake of the Beirut port explosion last week that triggered public fury and mass protests.

In a brief televised speech, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said on Monday that he is taking “a step back” so he can stand with the people “and fight the battle for change alongside them.”

He said: “I declare today the resignation of this government. May God protect Lebanon,” repeating the last phrase three times.

A brief while earlier, Diab's Cabinet resigned. The developments follow a weekend of anti-government protests in the wake of the Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that caused widespread destruction, killed at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 others.

Diab blamed corrupt politicians who preceded him for the “earthquake” that has hit Lebanon.

“They (political class) should have been ashamed of themselves because their corruption is what has led to this disaster that had been hidden for seven years,” he added.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.