August 9, 2020
1 min read

World leaders to jointly raise aid for Lebanon

Beirut, Aug. 4, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2020 shows a scene after the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Two huge explosions rocked Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, leaving at least 50 people killed and 2,500 others injured. The number of casualties were expected to rise as the counting continued. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich/IANS) by .
Satellite images show scale of destruction after Beirut explosions. by .
Satellite images show the scale of destruction after Beirut explosions.

International leaders will hold talks on Sunday to raise aid for Beirut, five days after the massive explosion which devastated the Lebanese capital.

The virtual conference – set up by France and the United Nations – starts at 14.00 Lebanon time (11.00 GMT).

US President Donald Trump has said he plans to join the call.

Officials estimate the blast at the warehouse, which stored 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, caused up to $15 billion (£11.5bn) in damage.

The explosion left at least 158 people dead, 5,000 injured and 300,000 homeless.

On Saturday several thousand people took to the streets, with police firing tear gas at stone-throwing protesters and some demonstrators storming government ministries.

In a televised address, Lebanese PM Hassan Diab said he would ask for early elections as a way out of the crisis. The issue will be discussed in the cabinet on Monday.

Lebanon was already mired in a deep economic crisis and struggling to tackle the coronavirus pandemic before the explosion tore through Beirut.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut on Thursday and announced he wanted to co-ordinate international aid for the country.

An anti-government protest movement erupted last October, fuelled by the financial situation and a collapsing currency.

A statement from France’s presidential palace says Sunday’s conference “will aim to mobilize Lebanon’s main international partners and to organize and coordinate emergency support from the international community”.

Representatives from European Union member states, China, Russia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UK will all take part, with many others invited to attend.

Also Read: US, France to send immediate aid to Lebanon

Also Read: War Zone Lebanon

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the MSMEs E-conclave themed ‘Business Continuity for MSMEs in Defence & Aerospace Sector’ via video conference in New Delhi on May 21, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) by .
Previous Story

India bans 101 defence imports targeting self-reliance

Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs "bhumi pujan" at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya on Aug 5, 2020. (Photo: IANS) by .
Next Story

When BJP’s Shilanyas overrides that of Congress’

Latest from -Top News

India opens world’s highest rail bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir and flagged off the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar, marking a historic moment

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,
Go toTop