Lebanon's government has resigned amid fury following a deadly explosion that killed over 160 people, wounded thousands more, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

Protesters have been rallying in the streets demanding change after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated in the city's port. The explosive material was seized in 2013 and had been improperly stored in a warehouse. A fire ignited the ammonium nitrate, creating a massive mushroom cloud that flattened nearby buildings and blew out windows over six miles away.

During an address to the nation on Monday (August 10), Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced that he and his cabinet will be stepping down.

"We will back down and stand with the people. We need to open the door for the people," he said in an address to the nation.

Prior to Diab's speech, protesters clashed with security forces outside of his office. They threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police, who responded with tear gas. A few protesters tried to scale the security wall around Parliament Square.

Not everybody thinks that the resignation of the government will solve the issues plaguing the country.

"The entire regime needs to change. It will make no difference if there is a new government,"Joe Haddad, a Beirut engineer, told Reuters. "We need quick elections."

Photo: Getty Images

Rachel Lutzker