Lebanon's outgoing premier Hassan Diab became one of the first politicians to be indicted along with three ex-ministers over the devastating August 4 blast that killed more than 200 people.
France has been quick to back former PM Saad al Hariri's proposal of an "independent" Shia candidate being given the finance portfolio to end a deadlock between two main Shia parties over ministers.
According to UN Women, even before the blast, Lebanon had one of the world's lowest rates of women in the workforce, with less than one in three in paid employment.
The fire engulfed a warehouse storing engine oil and vehicle tires nearly 40 days after a deadly blast rocked the nation.
Lebanese rescuers scoured rubble for a possible survivor in Beirut after the detection of a pulse drew crowds hopeful of a miracle one month on from a devastating explosion.
A team with a rescue dog first detected movement under a destroyed building in Gemmayze, one of the areas worst hit by the August 4 blast that killed about 190 people.
French President Emmanuel Macron gives Lebanese politicians until October end to start delivering on reforms, saying financial aid would be withheld and sanctions imposed further down the line if corruption gets in the way.
French President Macron arrived in Beirut just hours after under-fire leaders designated a new prime minister, Mustapha Adib, to tackle the country's deep political and economic crisis.
US and French officials visiting Beirut after the August 4 blast have said they had made clear they would not extend a financial lifeline to the country if its leaders did not tackle corruption and mismanagement.
The UN said the money will enable the UN's humanitarian partners “to help people in need by targeting food security, health, shelter and protection, as well as water and sanitation hygiene support.”
The move gives the Lebanese army greater powers to suppress resurgent protests.
Protests continue in Lebanon despite the resignation of the government following the massive Beirut explosion. The protesters now demand a complete change to a system of power that has long gone unchallenged.
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