The entire Lebanese government resigns in the wake of the Beirut blast and the ensuing riots.

Despite all kinds of loony conspiracies aimed at framing the blast as a terrorist or missile or even a nuclear attack, the original truth has been confirmed. 

The authorities knew about the pile of aluminium nitrate for six years and did nothing about it, aside from writing inane letters to those responsible. 

So Prime Minister Hiab has fallen on his sword and accepted responsibility for their terrible failures. 

Lebanon may be in deep financial crisis, but the blast only exposed the neglect and corruption at the heart of such woes. 

The president has initiated a caretaker government, pending fresh elections and the formation of a new cabinet. 

Sadly, Diab did try, but as he said in his resignation speech, corruption is "bigger than Lebanon itself".

He added that "a very thick and thorny wall separates us from change; a wall fortified by a class that is resorting to all dirty methods in order to resist and preserve its gains".

To him the ruling class is asphyxiating the country and needs to be held accountable to the people. Real change is needed. 

There are some home truths there that are relevant to all corrupt states. Eventually corruption acquires a life and power of its own that destroys the fabric of nations. 

Sadly, however, any new government will be the product of the same corrupt and complex political systems that protesters are now criticizing. So, a long, painful road is before Lebanon. 

It is heartbreaking to see how corruption complicates a nation and robs it of its own dignity, freedom or prosperity.  

(c) Peter Missing @ me2u2all.blogspot.com