Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigns amid protests

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon, October 29, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation in a speech from his official residence in Beirut on Tuesday.

The Lebanese have been protesting against the government for the past 12 days, calling for a mass resignation of the political class for adopting policies that led to the people's impoverishment over the past years.

Lebanon's Aoun invites protesters to talk, hints at government reshuffle

Saad Hariri's office summoned the press at 1400 GMT and Hariri said that discussion had reached "a dead end" and the country has the opportunity for real change.

Saad Hariri said in the televised speech that he would submit his government's resignation to President Michel Aoun in response to the protests.

"I am going to the Baabda Palace to give my resignation," he noted.

A girl takes part in a human chain organised by demonstrators during ongoing anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon, October 27, 2019. /Reuters photo

Hariri's resignation would defy the powerful Hezbollah - its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has twice said that he was against such a step, citing the risk of a dangerous void.

Nasrallah, whose movement is part of Hariri's coalition government, urged his followers to stay away from the protests after they clashed with demonstrators in Beirut.

According to the constitution, Hariri's cabinet would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.

Hariri last week sought to defuse popular anger through a set of reform measures agreed with other groups in his coalition government, including Hezbollah, to - among other things - tackle corruption and long-delayed economic reforms.

The anti-government protest at a highway in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon, October 23, 2019. /VCG Photo

Lebanon's central bank governor said on Monday a solution must be found in days to a crisis unleashed by huge protests against the ruling elite, saying this would restore confidence and avoid any future economic collapse.

The International Monetary Fund also said on the same day that Lebanon should urgently implement reforms to restore confidence and economic stability.

Turmoil has worsened Lebanon's deep economic crisis, with financial strains unseen since the 1975-90 civil war leading to a scarcity of hard currency and a weakening of the pegged Lebanese pound.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)