BEIRUT (LEBANON) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Saturday that following a massive explosion in Beirut last week, which took the lives of 178 people and left 300,000 homeless, international aid has been pledged. He stressed on the importance of taking the aid to the needy.
He said, “I have asked that aid sent by foreign countries be given exactly where it is needed.” Despite the government making a move to quit earlier in the week, he added that he had not thought of resigning.
A $565 million aid appeal was launched by the UN, after the blast. The UN said.
UN humanitarian coordinator Najat Rochdi said earlier, “We would like to be able to rebuild the three hospitals that were completely destroyed.”
A transparent and credible investigation was sought into the disaster by the US.
David Hale, US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port, said FBI agents would arrive this weekend, on Lebanon’s request, to help scrutinise the reason for explosion.
The blast has triggered protests against Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already in troubled waters over a financial meltdown.
Some Lebanese doubt the credibility of the investigation led by the government.
Businessman Jimmy Iskandar says, “We can’t trust this government. They will lie to us. They should form an international committee to investigate this.”
Painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast, said, “They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
