Lebanon Parl okays emergency in Beirut

Beirut, August 13

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Lebanon’s Parliament on Thursday approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the catastrophic August 4 explosion, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger at official corruption and mismanagement and political uncertainty.

The government resigned after the blast that killed more than 170 people, injured at least 6,000 and wrecked the capital’s port. The disaster has raised popular fury toward Lebanon’s leaders to a new level as the country reels from an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, along with the coronavirus pandemic. After the government resigned on Monday, the Cabinet is in a caretaker capacity.

The move has been criticised by rights groups who say the civilian government already was operating with increased powers because of the Covid outbreak. — PTI