Lebanon's government resigns after blast that killed more than 200 people

Lebanon’s government has resigned over the devastating explosion in Beirut that left more than 200 people dead and has triggered public fury and protests.

The country's prime minister Hassan Diab revealed the news in a brief televised speech on Monday.

He said he was taking “a step back” so he can stand with the people “and fight the battle for change alongside them”, adding: “I declare today the resignation of this government. May God protect Lebanon."

Moments earlier, Mr Diab’s cabinet resigned.

Mr 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.

It comes after a cabinet meeting earlier today, which followed two days of demonstrations that saw clashes with security forces firing tear gas at protesters.

On Monday, Beirut city governor Marwan Abboud was quoted by the al-Marsad Online news website as saying the death toll from the explosion had risen to 220, with 110 people still missing.

The blast also injured 6,000 people, in addition to destroying the country’s main port and devastating large parts of the city.

It has brought a new wave of public outrage at the government, with demonstrators blaming the explosion and a severe economic crisis on years of corruption and neglect.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a fire that ignited a 2,750-tonne stockpile of explosive ammonium nitrate. The material had been stored at the port since 2013 with few safeguards despite numerous warnings of the danger.

Losses from the blast are estimated to be between £8 billion to £12 billion, and nearly 300,000 people were left homeless in the immediate aftermath.

Mr Diab's cabinet now assumes a caretaker role until a new government is formed.

It comes as a Lebanese judge has started questioning the heads of the country’s security agencies over the explosion.

Judge Ghassan El Khoury began questioning Major General Tony Saliba, the head of State Security, according to the state-run National News Agency.

About 20 people have been detained over the blast, including the head of Lebanon’s customs department and his predecessor, as well as the head of the port. Dozens of people have been questioned, including two former cabinet ministers, according to government officials.

The investigation is focused on how the ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical used in fertilisers, came to be stored at a warehouse in Beirut’s port for six years, and why nothing was done about it

State Security had compiled a report about the dangers of storing the material at the port and sent a copy to the offices of the president and prime minister on July 20.

On Sunday, world leaders and international organisations pledged nearly £230 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut but warned that no money for rebuilding the capital would be made available until Lebanese authorities commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people.