Beirut explosion: Lebanon government on verge of collapse as third minister quits

Lebanon’s government is teetering on the verge of collapse following the resignation of the justice minister on Monday, the third cabinet member to step down in protest after last week’s catastrophic explosion in Beirut. Amid reports the entire government may soon step down, Marie-Claude Najm said she offered her resignation over the explosion last Tuesday and the protests that followed, local media reported. Ms Najm had water thrown at her people shouted abuse while she was visiting a damaged area last week, amid widespread anger at a government that many Lebanese hold accountable for the explosion that damaged half the capital. Her resignation followed those of the ministers of information and environment on Sunday. The government will effectively revert to a caretaker role if seven or more ministers resign.