World Shows Solidarity For Lebanon Facing Big Bang

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - A powerful explosion at a warehouse near the port in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 78 people and injured nearly 4,000 people (data still could be added).

The explosion even delivered a seismic shockwave that shattered windows, shattered rocks and shook the land of the Lebanese capital.

Lebanon's Public Security Directorate General Abbas Ibrahim said the explosion was caused by "high explosives" which were confiscated and stored in the warehouse. Indirectly, rejecting the notion that the warehouse stores raw materials for fireworks.

"It would be naive to describe such an explosion due to fireworks," said Ibrahim.

Launched Al Jazeera, Wednesday, August 5, a few hours after the explosion, ambulances continued to carry injured people. Military helicopters have also helped reduce the fires that have raged in the harbor. Officials predict the death toll will continue to rise.

This situation is of course difficult for Lebanon. Lebanon is facing an economy in free fall, leaving large sections of the country's population poor. Not to mention that they have to face the COVID-19 pandemic. In Lebanon there are 5,062 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 65 of them have died.

But the world has not let Lebanon face it alone. World leaders have offered support to Lebanon. One of them is French President Emmanuel Macron. He said he would send resources to the scene of the explosion.

"I express my fraternal solidarity with Lebanon after the explosion that killed so much casualties and damage tonight in Beirut. France stands beside Lebanon. Always. Aid and resources from France are being transported to the place (of the explosion)," Macron wrote on Twitter.

J'exprime ma solidarité fraternelle avec les Libanais après l'explosion qui a fait tant de victimes et de dégâts ce soir à Beyrouth. La France se tient aux côtés du Liban. Toujours. Des secours et moyens français sont en cours d'acheminement sur place.

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 4, 2020

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Apart from that, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also said that Iran is ready to help in any way. He also hoped that Lebanon would "stay strong."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient Lebanese people," Zarif wrote on Twitter

قلوبُنا مع الشعب اللبناني في هذه الكارثة الكبرى. الرحمة للشهداء والصبر والسلوان لأهالي الضحايا والشفاء للجرحى. سلامٌ من الله ورحمةٌ لهذا الوطن الأبيّ.🇱🇧🖤 pic.twitter.com/4jHhaNnSh6

- Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 4, 2020

Another Lebanese neighbor, Israel, has also offered humanitarian assistance to Lebanon via foreign channels. This is because the two countries do not have diplomatic relations.

"Under the direction of Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel approached Lebanon through international defense and diplomatic channels to offer Lebanon medical assistance," Gantz wrote on Twitter.

בהנחיית שר הביטחון בני גנץ ושר החוץ גבי אשכנזי, פנתה ישראל ללבנון דרך גורמים ביטחונייה ומדיניים בינלאומים ויוטאר.

- בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) August 4, 2020

British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson also expressed his readiness to help Lebanon. He was not specific about what help he would give, but Boris said that in whatever way possible he would help.

"The images and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. My prayers are with the people caught in this terrible incident. The UK stands ready to provide support in any way we can, including to affected British nationals," wrote Johnson. in twitter.

The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.

- Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 4, 2020

Turkey also expressed readiness to help Lebanon. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu extended his condolences to the Lebanese people, adding that Turkey was ready to help in all matters.

"Please Allah's grace to those who lost their lives in the explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut. Condolences to the brothers and friendly people in Lebanon. Hope that there will be no more losses. Ready to help our Lebanese brothers and sisters in any way," said Cavusoglu.