People gathered in their numbers in the streets of Beirut as French president Emmanuel Macron toured a neighborhood in the Lebanese capital devastated by Tuesday’s massive explosion.
The explosion which appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at the port, rippled across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 135 people, injuring more than 5,000 and causing widespread destruction.
Speaking to a crowd of reporters and Lebanese protesters, Macron promised to provide aid directly to the people of Lebanon.
“I am here and it’s my duty to help you, as a whole population, to bring medication and food’’ he assured residents adding; “This aid, I guarantee it won’t end up in corrupt hands. I will speak to all political forces to ask for a new pact”
President Emmanuel Macron
Dozens of people are reportedly missing as the city is filled with piles of rubble and debris with a rescue effort under way to find those still missing after the city was devastated by the powerful explosion. The number of deaths recorded is expected to rise following the rescue efforts. The Lebanese government has reacted by ordering officials from the port where the explosion emanated from to be put under house arrest.
Macron, who was scheduled to meet with senior Lebanese officials, said “the visit is an opportunity to have a frank and challenging dialogue with the Lebanese political powers and institutions.”
He further told the crowd of reporters and angry people that he would propose a “new political pact” to Lebanon’s embattled political class during his visit.
Macron appears to be the first foreign or domestic national leader to visit residents of Beirut’s hard-hit neighborhoods amidst widespread pledges of international aid. Britain is sending a Royal Navy ship to help with clean-up and reconstruction efforts at the port whiles Switzerland has confirmed it has sent a team of specialists including logistics and engineering experts. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 people are homeless.
image credit: ctvnews.ca
In a news conference after the tour, President Emmanuel Macron went on to say he had no further information regarding the causes of Tuesday’s devastating blasts, adding that an international investigation was necessary.
He said, “When Lebanon is struck in its heart as it is today, France is struck too.” He added that no blank cheques would be given out to Lebanon, stressing the need to create “a new political order” in the crisis-wracked country.
“Aid to Lebanon will be channeled directly towards NGOs. Funds for Lebanon are there, they are just waiting for domestic reforms to be implemented,” Macron added, though warning that “it is not up to the French president to tell Lebanon what to do” thereby encouraging the Lebanese people to put pressure on their political leaders.
The French leader promised to organize an international conference to coordinate support for the afflicted country and return to Beirut in September. He ended the speech by declaring Lebanon as a Country of hope.
