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Lebanon's Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad has stepped down from her post within the embattled government. In a televized address, Samad apologized for failing to meet the "aspirations" of the Lebanese people and called for "unity" as the country recovers from the catastrophic explosion that ripped through Beirut.UPDATE: 9/8/2020: While expressing sympathy for Lebanese suffering, the US manages to suggest peaceful regime change is in order, offered via the US Embassy in Beirut:
In addition, Lebanon's Environment Minister Damianos Kattar has resigned amid huge anti-government protests. Kattar is the second minister to quit, with protesters calling for change following the devastating explosion in Beirut's port. Kattar told Prime Minister Hassan Diab that friends of his family died in Tuesday's explosion, and he would therefore "no longer continue" with his responsibilities.
Amid clashes with riot police, protesters stormed several government buildings and attempted to reach the Parliament. Several military units were eventually deployed to help riot police restore order, forcing the US Embassy in Beirut to wade into the crisis, voicing its support for the citizens' "right to peaceful protest."Mere opportunism, or was Beirut bombed to produced precisely this impasse?
The number of injuries climbed to at least 490, meanwhile, authorities said 70 security officers were injured and at least one them died in clashes.
However, as a US Air Force transport plane delivered the first batch of aid, USAID also made sure to emphasize that the "United States has long supported the Lebanese people's pursuit of economic prosperity and accountable governance, free of corruption and foreign pressure."
"I would like to absolutely, categorically rule out anything belonging to us at the port. No weapons, no missiles, or bombs or rifles or even a bullet or ammonium nitrate. No cache, no nothing. Not now, not ever."Israel has not formally alleged that Hezbollah was connected to the Tuesday blast.
Comment: "Trump wants to be on Mt. Rushomore!" Not a big deal, if true - at least, not newsworthy. Trump denying it, and saying it's a good idea. That's funny.