Lebanon blast, reactions | World offers support, condolences

Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab called on "friendly countries" to support a country already reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades and the coronavirus pandemic.

August 05, 2020 06:34 am | Updated August 06, 2020 10:58 am IST - Beirut, Lebanon

Firefighters douse a blaze at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020.

Firefighters douse a blaze at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020.

A huge blast in port warehouses near central Beirut storing highly explosive material killed at least 100 people and injured nearly 4,000 on Tuesday.

Close allies and traditional adversaries of Lebanon paid tribute on Tuesday to the victims of massive, deadly twin blasts in Beirut, as condolences and offers of help poured in.

Here are the reactions:

 

Shocked and saddened: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed shock at the loss of lives in a massive explosion that rocked Beirut and said India’s thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured.

- PTI

 

UN expresses deepest condolences

The United Nations said it is actively assisting in the response to the horrific explosions that ripped through the port area of Beirut, as Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Lebanese people.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut, a statement from a UN spokesperson said.

- PTI

 

Trump says Beirut explosion seems to be 'bomb of some kind'

U.S. President Donald Trump said "it looks like a terrible attack" and that U.S. generals had told him that the powerful explosions appeared to have been caused by a "bomb of some kind", without offering evidence.

 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that "we are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy".

 

Qatar promises to send field hospitals

In the region, Gulf nations were among the first to react, with Qatar promising to send field hospitals to support the medical response.

Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani wished "a speedy recovery for the injured," while the United Arab Emirates' Vice President and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted "our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon."

Kuwait said it would also send emergency medical aid.

- AFP

 

Egypt expressed "deep concern" at the destruction, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboulgheit offered condolences, stressing "the importance of finding the truth about the explosions".

- AFP

 

Israel offers humanitarian aid

And unusually, neighbouring Israel offered humanitarian aid — to a country with which it is still technically at war.

"Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, on behalf of the State of Israel, have offered the Lebanese government — via international intermediaries — medical and humanitarian aid, as well as immediate emergency assistance," a statement read.

- AFP

 

'Stay strong, Lebanon'

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Amman was ready to provide any help Lebanon needed, while Iran said it was "fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "Stay strong, Lebanon."

Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad wrote to Lebanese President Michel Aoun that "on behalf of the Syrian Arab people, we extend our sincere condolences to you and the Lebanese people".

- AFP

 

Outside the region, President Vladimir Putin said that "Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people," according to a Kremlin statement. "I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all affected."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the country was "ready to provide assistance according to the needs expressed by the Lebanese authorities".

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the pictures and videos from Beirut "shocking".

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media to say "we think of all those who were injured in this tragic explosion, as well as those who are trying to find a friend or family member or who have lost a loved one. We're ready to help you."

- AFP

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