A Lebanese protester speaks into a megaphone on December 16 as demonstrators gather near the home of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Beirut.
In photos: Lebanon in crisis
A Lebanese protester speaks into a megaphone on December 16 as demonstrators gather near the home of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Beirut.
Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

Updated 12:33 PM EST, Thu December 19, 2019

Former Education Minister Hassan Diab has been designated as Lebanon's next prime minister, according to a statement from the presidential palace.

Lebanon is enduring one of its worst-ever economic crises and has been wracked by mass protests that led to the resignation of the previous prime minister, Saad Hariri.

Demonstrations began on October 17, when the government proposed a tax on WhatsApp calls, along with other austerity measures. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in a bubbling-over of fury at political elites.

Hariri announced his resignation on October 29 in response to the ongoing nationwide protests.

Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups throw fireworks towards Lebanese riot police during clashes on December 14 in Beirut.
Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups throw fireworks towards Lebanese riot police during clashes on December 14 in Beirut.
Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images
Anti-government protesters scuffle with riot police on December 4 in Beirut.
Anti-government protesters scuffle with riot police on December 4 in Beirut.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators raise a giant fist sign that bears the Arabic word for "revolution" on November 22 in Martyrs' Square.
Demonstrators raise a giant fist sign that bears the Arabic word for "revolution" on November 22 in Martyrs' Square.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
People take part in an Independence Day event on November 22. Lebanon marked 76 years of self-rule, with nationwide festivities organized by anti-government protesters in lieu of a traditional military parade.
People take part in an Independence Day event on November 22. Lebanon marked 76 years of self-rule, with nationwide festivities organized by anti-government protesters in lieu of a traditional military parade.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
A Lebanese protester kisses the helmet of a riot policeman on November 19 near the parliament headquarters in Beirut.
A Lebanese protester kisses the helmet of a riot policeman on November 19 near the parliament headquarters in Beirut.
Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images
Cars navigate a flaming barricade set by anti-government protesters in the southern city of Sidon on November 19, ahead of a parliament session.
Cars navigate a flaming barricade set by anti-government protesters in the southern city of Sidon on November 19, ahead of a parliament session.
Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP via Getty Images
A mourner lights a candle at a makeshift memorial where Alaa Abu Fakher was killed by a Lebanese soldier during Tuesday night protests south of Beirut in Khaldeh neighborhood on November 13. Fakher was the first to be killed in direct shooting related to the protests, though there have been four other deaths since the demonstrations began.
A mourner lights a candle at a makeshift memorial where Alaa Abu Fakher was killed by a Lebanese soldier during Tuesday night protests south of Beirut in Khaldeh neighborhood on November 13. Fakher was the first to be killed in direct shooting related to the protests, though there have been four other deaths since the demonstrations began.
Hussein Malla/AP
Riot police remove anti-government protesters who were occupying an intersection in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday, November 4.
Riot police remove anti-government protesters who were occupying an intersection in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday, November 4.
Sam Tarling/Getty Images
Protesters perch on an overhead road sign in Beirut on November 4.
Protesters perch on an overhead road sign in Beirut on November 4.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
Police move an anti-government protester on Monday.
Police move an anti-government protester on Monday.
Hussein Malla/AP
Protesters light flares and chant slogans against the Lebanese government on Sunday, November 3.
Protesters light flares and chant slogans against the Lebanese government on Sunday, November 3.
Bilal Hussein/AP
An aerial view shows thousands of Lebanese protesters gathered in Beirut's downtown district on Sunday.
An aerial view shows thousands of Lebanese protesters gathered in Beirut's downtown district on Sunday.
AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of embattled Lebanese President Michel Aoun take part in a counter-protest near the presidential palace in Baabda on November 3.
Supporters of embattled Lebanese President Michel Aoun take part in a counter-protest near the presidential palace in Baabda on November 3.
Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators chant slogans during a rally on Sunday.
Demonstrators chant slogans during a rally on Sunday.
Bilal Hussein/AP
An anti-government protester waves a Lebanese flag as he stands on top of a pile of broken tents in Martyrs' Square on October 29.
An anti-government protester waves a Lebanese flag as he stands on top of a pile of broken tents in Martyrs' Square on October 29.
Sam Tarling/Getty Images
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks during an address to the nation on October 29. "I can't hide this from you. I have reached a dead end," Hariri said <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/middleeast/lebanon-saad-hariri-resigns-intl/index.html" target="_blank">in his resignation speech.</a>
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri speaks during an address to the nation on October 29. "I can't hide this from you. I have reached a dead end," Hariri said in his resignation speech.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Anti-government protesters celebrate outside the government palace after Hariri announced his resignation.
Anti-government protesters celebrate outside the government palace after Hariri announced his resignation.
Bilal Hussein/AP
Hezbollah supporters burn tents in the camp set up by anti-government protesters near the government palace.
Hezbollah supporters burn tents in the camp set up by anti-government protesters near the government palace.
Hussein Malla/AP
Members of the Lebanese army, left, help intervene between clashing groups of protesters and counter-protesters on a highway in central Beirut.
Members of the Lebanese army, left, help intervene between clashing groups of protesters and counter-protesters on a highway in central Beirut.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images
An armored personnel carrier removes a burning garbage container set alight by anti-government protesters on Monday, October 28.
An armored personnel carrier removes a burning garbage container set alight by anti-government protesters on Monday, October 28.
Hussein Malla/AP
Anti-government protesters play a dice game as they block a main highway during during demonstrations.
Anti-government protesters play a dice game as they block a main highway during during demonstrations.
Hussein Malla/AP
Protesters hold hands to form a human chain along a coastal highway near Beirut on Sunday, October 27.
Protesters hold hands to form a human chain along a coastal highway near Beirut on Sunday, October 27.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
A Lebanese demonstrator scuffles with security forces trying to disperse protesters who were blocking a major bridge in Beirut on Sunday, October 27.
A Lebanese demonstrator scuffles with security forces trying to disperse protesters who were blocking a major bridge in Beirut on Sunday, October 27.
Stringer/AFP via Getty Images
Anti-government protesters and Hezbollah supporters clash on Friday, October 25.
Anti-government protesters and Hezbollah supporters clash on Friday, October 25.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Protesters and counter-protesters face off near the government palace on October 25.
Protesters and counter-protesters face off near the government palace on October 25.
Hussein Malla/AP
A protester uses a national flag to cover himself as it rains during a demonstration on Wednesday, October 23.
A protester uses a national flag to cover himself as it rains during a demonstration on Wednesday, October 23.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images
Anti-government protesters wave flags and shout slogans as Lebanese soldiers encircle them on October 23.
Anti-government protesters wave flags and shout slogans as Lebanese soldiers encircle them on October 23.
Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images
A rally takes place in Beirut outside the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque and the nearby Maronite Cathedral of St. George on Sunday, October 20.
A rally takes place in Beirut outside the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque and the nearby Maronite Cathedral of St. George on Sunday, October 20.
Patrick Baz/AFP via Getty Images
Police stand guard as anti-government protesters try to remove a barbed-wire barrier to advance toward government buildings on Saturday, October 19.
Police stand guard as anti-government protesters try to remove a barbed-wire barrier to advance toward government buildings on Saturday, October 19.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Demonstrators wave flags as they gather in the southern city of Sidon on October 19.
Demonstrators wave flags as they gather in the southern city of Sidon on October 19.
Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP via Getty Images
A protester holds a Lebanese flag as he sits in an inflatable pool on a highway in the town of Zouk Mosbeh on October 19.
A protester holds a Lebanese flag as he sits in an inflatable pool on a highway in the town of Zouk Mosbeh on October 19.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images
Lebanese soldiers stand guard in Beirut's financial district on October 19.
Lebanese soldiers stand guard in Beirut's financial district on October 19.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images
A Lebanese demonstrator with her face painted like the comic book character the Joker takes part in a protest in Beirut on October 19.
A Lebanese demonstrator with her face painted like the comic book character the Joker takes part in a protest in Beirut on October 19.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images
A protester rolls a tire toward a smoking roadblock in Beirut on Friday, October 18.
A protester rolls a tire toward a smoking roadblock in Beirut on Friday, October 18.
Diego Ibarra Sanchez/The New York Times via Redux
Lebanese police use a water cannon on anti-government protesters on October 18.
Lebanese police use a water cannon on anti-government protesters on October 18.
Hassan Ammar/AP
A demonstrator flashes a victory sign as he holds a national flag near a roadblock on October 18.
A demonstrator flashes a victory sign as he holds a national flag near a roadblock on October 18.
Hassan Ammar/AP
Lebanese demonstrators burn wood and debris on Thursday, October 17.
Lebanese demonstrators burn wood and debris on Thursday, October 17.
Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wave flags outside the government palace in Beirut on October 17.
Demonstrators wave flags outside the government palace in Beirut on October 17.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images