Lebanon‘s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on Tuesday as anti-government protests continue to pressure the country’s political establishment. In his address to the nation, Hariri appeared to be giving up all hope for resolving the conflict saying he had reached a “dead end,” according to Reuters.

The report also signaled that there is an uptick in violence. Before Hariri resigned, groups connected to “Shi’ite Muslim Hezbollah and Amal movements attacked and destroyed a protest camp set up by anti-government demonstrators in Beirut.” Iran-backed terrorist groups are now exploiting the mounting civil unrest as the government shatters.

“For 13 days the Lebanese people have waited for a decision for a political solution that stops the deterioration (of the economy). And I have tried, during this period, to find a way out, through which to listen to the voice of the people,” Hariri said in his speech.

“It is time for us to have a big shock to face the crisis,” he said. “To all partners in political life, our responsibility today is how we protect Lebanon and revive its economy.”

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