Saudi Arabia affirms full support, solidarity with Lebanon after Beirut blasts

Abu Dhabi: Saudi Arabia affirmed its full support and solidarity with the victims of the explosions that rocked Beirut on Tuesday that left at least 135 people dead and over 5,000 injured.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the repercussions of the explosion that took place in Beirut Port Tuesday, and the resulting deaths and injuries,” the statement from the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry read.

“The kingdom’s government expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and the injured, asking God Almighty to have mercy on those who died in this painful event, and to grant those injured a speedy recovery, and to protect Lebanon from all harm. The ministry affirms the kingdom’s full support and solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people,” the statement added.

The ministry has announced that the government, on the orders of King Salman, will urgently send humanitarian aid to Lebanon to help the authorities there deal with the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through downtown Beirut.

The assistance will be provided through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The blast is believed to have been triggered by a fire at a warehouse where 2,750 tonnes of confiscated, highly explosive ammonium nitrate was being stored. More than 5,000 were injured and dozens are missing.

Buildings several kilometers away suffered material damage, with Cyprus even feeling the blast, and the explosions were heard over 20 kilometers away from Beirut.