SHORT TAKES

Central Bank rolls out cheap dollar loans

Lebanon’s central bank has asked banks and financial institutions to extend exceptional dollar loans at zero interest to individuals and firms impacted by the Beirut explosions. The bank said the exceptional loans should be made, regardless of customer account limits, to individuals, private businesses, SMEs and corporations to carry out essential repairs to homes and businesses.

German diplomat killed in explosion

Germany’s foreign minister said an employee of the German Embassy in Beirut was killed in the huge blast that devastated the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. Heiko Maas said that the woman died as a result of “the consequences of the explosion in her apartment”. He offered his condolences to embassy staff and added that the embassy building was damaged in the blasts caused by a fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate.

‘Still a good chance of finding survivors’

There is a “good chance” of finding survivors of the Beirut port explosion, a French rescuer said yesterday. “We are looking for seven or eight missing people, who could be stuck in a control room buried by the explosion,” said a colonel leading a rescue team. “We think there is a good chance of finding people alive,” he said.

China sending medical team to Lebanon

China is sending a medical team and supplies to Lebanon in the aftermath of the port explosion that injured more than 5,000 people. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said yesterday Chinese leader Xi Jinping had conveyed his condolence to Lebanese President Michel Aoun. “As a friendly country, China is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Lebanon to tide over the difficulties,” Wang said.

Iraq to provide wheat and fuel to Lebanon

An Iraqi delegation headed by the Iraqi oil minister met the Lebanese prime minister, Hassan Diab, and informed him that Baghdad will provide fuel aid to Beirut after the blasts, according to a statement by the Lebanese government. Lebanese local media also reported that an amount of wheat will arrive today from Iraq as an emergency aid after the blast left the Lebanese capital short on wheat, according to the governor.

UK to arrange $6.6m in emergency aid

Britain will provide a 5 million pound ($6.6 million) aid package to Beirut, including search and rescue help and expert medical support, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said after speaking with the Lebanese prime minister. “We are going to stand by the Lebanese people in their time of need; we are going to provide immediate response and an aid package,” he said.