On 10 August 2020, Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned from his post amid continuing nationwide anti-government protests in the aftermath of a 4 August explosion at the Port of Beirut. President Michel Aoun accepted Diab’s resignation, but asked him to lead a caretaker government until Aoun either appoints a new prime minister or schedules new elections. Diab blamed the explosion on unspecified corrupt elements and blamed entrenched interests in the government for stalling economic and political reforms. In the lead- up to Diab’s resignation, there were reports of small-scale clashes between security forces and protesters outside the parliament building — where protesters threw rocks at security personnel, who responded with tear gas. At least 38 people were injured in the clashes. Meanwhile in the northern city of Tripoli, there were reports of fireworks and celebratory gunfire following Diab’s resignation.