World offers support, pays tribute to victims

BEIRUT: Close allies and adversaries of Lebanon paid tribute on Tuesday to the victims of the deadly blast in Beirut, as condolences and offers of help poured in.

United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres expressed his “deepest condolences ... following the horrific explosions in Beirut” which he said had also injured some UN personnel.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that “we are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon”.

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 Hamad Al-Thani wished “a speedy recovery for the injured,” while the United Arab Emirates’ VicePresident and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted “our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon.”

Kuwait said it would also send emergency medical aid. 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”.

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 have offered Lebanon medical and humanitarian aid, as well as emergency assistance,” a statement read.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Amman was ready to provide any help, 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.

Syria President Bashar Al-Assad wrote to Lebanon President Michel Aoun, “we extend our sincere condolences to you and the Lebanese people”.

President Vladimir Putin said

“Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people,” in a statement.

France Foreign Minister JeanYves 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”.

“All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident,” he wrote on Twitter. “The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media to say “we think of all those who were injured in this tragic explosion. We’re ready to help. – AFP