Thousands of protesters threw stones at the Lebanese parliament building, demanding the dissolution of the government after the Beirut port explosion.

Violent protesters clashed with security forces at sunset on August 9, forcing police and soldiers to retreat into the heart of Beirut, allowing protesters to get closer to the parliament building.

Police and soldiers defended the site with tear gas, while hundreds of protesters picked up stone bricks from the wreckage after the explosion and threw them over the iron fence.

Lebanon's Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad yesterday also announced his resignation, becoming the first in the government to leave office following a Beirut port blast that killed more than 150 people and destroyed part of the city, leaving pits.

"After the great disaster in Beirut, I announced my resignation," she said, apologizing to the Lebanese people for disappointing them.

After her, Lebanon's Environment Minister Damianos Kattar was the second government official to step down, claiming the government had lost many reform opportunities.

The Lebanese parliament will be dissolved when at least 43 senators resign.

Meanwhile, near the harbor, where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded causing disaster, the search and rescue team gave up hope of finding a survivor.

"We worked non-stop for 48 hours from the morning of August 6 to reach the operating room. Unfortunately, no survivors were found," Colonel Vincent Tissier said.

A Lebanese military officer, who coordinates rescue operations throughout the dock area, said they had no hope of finding a survivor after three days of searching.

At least 21 people are still missing, 159 of which have been recorded dead in the blast.

Recovery efforts continued, with locals arguing that without a blockade because of Covid-19, the death toll could be much higher, as the Gemmayze district near the harbor was crowded with many shops.

"You can imagine what would have happened if the explosion happened on a normal evening, or even two hours earlier when the workers were still working at the harbor," said Ali Houssein, a driver.

Damage to the east and center of Beirut was severe.

"We all need to work together to make sure there is no violence or chaos. We must act quickly, aid must reach those who need it," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the conference.

"In addition to emergency assistance, the partners are ready to help Lebanon recover economically and financially, which requires the Lebanese government to commit to implementing the timely measures and reforms expected by the Lebanese people,"

"In these horrible times, Lebanon is not alone," the statement said.