(Beirut) International aid started arriving in Lebanon on Wednesday, the day after two gigantic explosions that made more than 67 dead and thousands injured.
Posted on August 4 2020 at 18 h 18 Updated August 5 924 at 16 h 09
France Media Agency
According to the authorities, some 2020 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored “without precautionary measures” in the Port of Beirut, are the source of the blasts.
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Hassan Diab
Tuesday evening, a few hours after the tragedy, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab launched an “urgent appeal to all friendly countries and to brotherly countries”.
Kuwait reported on Wednesday the arrival in Lebanon of a plane containing “medical aid”, while hospitals, already exhausted by the economic crisis and the novel coronavirus pandemic, were overwhelmed by the victims.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced to him that he was opening a field hospital in the Lebanese capital.
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Angela Merkel
French President Emmanuel Macron had said the day before on Twitter that a civil security detachment and “several tons of medical equipment” would be sent to Lebanon.
France, the former mandatory power, on Wednesday delivered aid by three planes.
World Health Organization (WHO) official Michael Ryan said the UN agency had “started shipping trauma and surgery kits from the Dubai regional warehouse.”
“We also have emergency medical teams ready to deploy,” he added.
Gulf countries, some of which have close diplomatic and economic relations with Lebanon, have also offered to help.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, informed him of the dispatch of several field hospitals.
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In the United Arab Emirates, the famous Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, the tallest in the world, was lit up in the colors of the Lebanese flag, as a sign of solidarity, as were the famous pyramids of Giza, in Egypt.
Iran, which is very influential in Lebanon, has offered “medical aid” through its president Hassan Rouhani, according to a statement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised “humanitarian aid in all areas, particularly in the area of health”.
The Turkish Red Crescent is due to send a humanitarian aid team and emergency medical supplies on Wednesday.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday ordered the preparation of a military field hospital to be sent to Lebanon.
Pope Francis called for “praying for the victims, for their families and for Lebanon” and for sending “help from the international community (to) overcome the crisis”.
The Netherlands announced that 67 aid workers will leave for Beirut on Wednesday evening, including doctors , police and firefighters.
The Czech Republic, Greece and Cyprus, an island where the explosions were heard, sent dozens of rescuers to Beirut on Wednesday.
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Israel called on Tuesday to “overcome the conflict” by offering “humanitarian and medical aid” to Lebanon, its neighbor with whom it is technically in a state of war.
US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo told him he had offered his country aid during a telephone interview with Mr. Diab on Wednesday.
In Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to offer “support for Lebanon”.
In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II said on Wednesday she was “deeply saddened” in a message of condolence to the Lebanese President.
Italy sent to Beirut 14 firefighters specializing in assessment of chemical hazards and damaged structures.
Same expression of solidarity from Tunisia, which decided to send “urgently” two military planes with food and medical aid and the support in Tunis of 100 injured.