Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned in an address to the nation on Oct. 29. The resignation of his government came on the 13th day of nationwide protests and after days of deadlock as the government's ministers attempted to reshuffle the country’s cabinet. It also followed a day of violence in the streets of Beirut between security forces, demonstrators and alleged supporters of the Amal movement and Hezbollah.

The resignation was a major demand voiced by protesters. President Michel Aoun will begin negotiations with political blocs in the parliament to name a new prime minister. For the time being, however, according to political officials and analysts alike, the future of Lebanon’s leadership and economy remain unclear. A number of actors in the government had opposed Hariri leaving power, but they will all now be forced to confront not only the challenge of forming a government that satisfies all the major parties, but one that meets the demands of demonstrators and is capable of averting Lebanon's impending economic collapse.

In his speech, Hariri stated that he had tried to work with various political groups to heal Lebanon and respond to the protesters who have been calling for the total resignation of the government and an end to the traditional sectarian system that has governed Lebanon since the end of the country’s civil war. The prime minister conceded that he had failed.

“Today, to be honest with you, I have hit a dead end, and it is time for a big shock to confront the crisis,” Hariri stated.