Coup with cataclysm: Is it what's happening in Lebanon?

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab says he will request early parliamentary elections in a bid to defuse a worsening political and economic crisis in the cash-strapped Arab country following a devastating explosion at Beirut port earlier this week.

“In reality, there is no way out of this structural crisis without early parliamentary elections, in order to produce a new political class and a new parliament,” Diab said in a televised speech on Saturday evening.

The premier noted that he will introduce a draft bill for early elections during a cabinet session on Monday.

Diab then called on all political parties in the country to put their disagreements aside and work together, as the country faces unprecedented crises on multiple fronts.

He gave politicians two months to agree on the next steps and to work on implementing reforms, during which he will remain in his post.

“We are in an emergency, not only because of the disaster and the manner of handling it, but the state of emergency I'm speaking about is related to the fate of the country and its future, that is why I call upon all the political parties to agree on the next phase - and they don't have a lot of time - I am ready to take on this responsibility for a period of two months so they could reach an agreement,” the Lebanese premier pointed out.

Diab also underlined that all those responsible for the explosion will be held to account.

“No one is safe (from being held accountable), no one should expect to be protected by any umbrella, all those responsible for this disaster should be placed under investigation and answer before the judiciary system,” he said.