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US, UK, ARAB, EU Leaders visit Aoun to pledge Support as more aid arrives

“We stand with you and are by your side.” US President Donald Trump

“We hope that American support will not be limited to emergency humanitarian aid,” Lebanese President Michel Aoun.

“With you we will work to restore life to the city of Beirut," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.




US, UK, ARAB, EU Leaders visit Aoun to pledge Support as more aid arrives

8/8/2020

(See Translation in Arabic section)

Lebanon: Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the chief of the 22-member Arab League, arrived in Lebanon on Saturday in a show of solidarity following the deadly blast in Beirut. Gheit met with Michel Aoun, the Lebanese president, at Baabda Palace, the official residence of the Lebanese leader. Afterwards, Gheit expressed his support for Lebanon. "I made it clear to him (Aoun) the utmost support from the Arab League and our readiness to help and support by all available means," he said. The visits come as the country braced for large anti-government protests amid popular anger against Lebanon's political leadership. The country's ruling class, mostly former civil war leaders, is blamed for widespread corruption, incompetence and mismanagement that contributed to Tuesday's explosion. Gheit also expressed support for an investigation.

President of the Republic General Michel Aoun received a phone call from US President Donald Trump, who offered his condolences and those of the American people. President Trump considered what happened as a heinous and horrible incident, stressing on the US support to help Lebanon. Mr. Trump mentioned to sending three planes loaded with food aid, medicine and other materials, and promised to provide more, along with every possible help. President Trump indicated that he had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron, "who has great love for Lebanon and I have strong feelings towards Lebanon too, and we stand with you and are by your side." President Trump praised the large Lebanese community in the United States, who feel the sorrow that befell their relatives and families. Mr. Trump said that he will participate in the conference that President Macron called for in Paris to support Lebanon in these circumstances, in co-ordination with France.

President Aoun thanked President Trump for his approach, feelings and solidarity with the Lebanese people in these circumstances, and for sending aid.

President Aoun explained to President Trump the information available on the explosion in the port and the damage it caused to the infrastructure and the destruction.

"We hope that American support will not be limited to emergency humanitarian aid,” General Aoun said. We need to work together to preserve Lebanon's security and social stability and co-operate in order to upgrade Lebanon. The reform process is ongoing and we have implemented many files (the forensic investigation, the appointment of the Electricity Board, the economic recovery plan, negotiations with the International Monetary Fund ...) "We hope to co-operate together in fighting real corruption, holding the corrupt accountable and exchanging information about corruption and suspicious transfers."

BRITISH PM CALLS

Lebanese General Michel Aoun, received a phone call from the Prime Minister of Great Britain, offering his condolences. PM Boris Johnson affirmed that "Britain is sad about what happened in Beirut, and is ready to support the friendly Lebanese people, through urgent aid and medical equipment, and to contribute to the reconstruction of the port and the damaged homes." 

He said, "The British people are in solidarity with the Lebanese people who have previously suffered from the influx of displaced Syrians to their lands, and we hope that two years of economic advancement will be achieved on all levels."

The PM of Britain affirmed: “Be sure that we are on your side and with you we will work to restore life to the city of Beirut."

President Aoun thanked Britain for sending a fact finding ship to evaluate the damage with experts coming to contribute to the search and rescue operations.

EU COUNCIL VISITS

The President of the Council of the European Union, Mr. Charles Michel stressed that Lebanon is not alone at all in light of the tragedy that it died as a result of the terrible explosion that rocked the capital Beirut, as all the countries and peoples of the European Union are with Lebanon and its people, indicating that Europe finds in this a duty incumbent upon it towards the Lebanese people.  He added: "It is natural that we take the initiative to provide assistance, and we have hastened to allocate 33 million euros initially to help Lebanon, and we are present to contribute to the reconstruction. We are all on alert to provide aid."

Mr. Michel's words came during his meeting with President General Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace.

President Aoun welcomed Mr. Michel, wishing that his visit to Lebanon had taken place in better conditions.  After the meeting, Mr. Michel said: "The most important message that I would like to convey to the Lebanese women and men at this moment is that you are not alone. The European Union is on your side, not only through declarations and words, but through actions. Hence, in the hours immediately following this tragedy, we have mobilized specialized teams to provide all kinds of support to the Lebanese. I have also initiated many contacts in preparation for this visit to Beirut, especially with a large number of European leaders. They unanimously agreed on their firm determination to help Lebanon only is the short term, to meet the emergencies of this crisis, but also in the long term for the reconstruction of what is being destroyed and rebuilding the infrastructure."

He said, "We know that Lebanon was facing, before this catastrophe, great challenges, especially the burdens resulting from accommodating the large number of displaced Syrians. We are aware of the extent of the difficulties that Lebanon suffers as a result of this matter. And for that, European support for Lebanon was sufficient to meet this.”

BELGIAN CONDOLENCES

President Aoun received a cable of condolences from the King Philip of Belgium in which he said: “I was shocked by the news of the massive explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut and most of the  neighbourhoods. And we with the Queen and all the members of the royal family extend our throughs to you and the Lebanese people, with the warmest condolences. "

He added, "We think in particular of the families of the victims, as well as the families of the wounded and injured, in addition to those whose homes were destroyed. To all of them we pray  to preserve their courage and strength to overcome this terrible tragedy."

He concluded by saying: "The Belgian people stand by the side of the Lebanese people. We are aware of the tremendous dignity the Lebanese people enjoy and their ability to rise again always. We assure you that we are on your side, supporting you to rebuild a future of peace and prosperity."

AOUN MEETS OKTAY

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay assured, "As a neighbour, friend and brother of Lebanon, we say Lebanon is not alone, and Turkey is always by its side, with solidarity and providing all kinds of assistance."

The statement of the Turkish Vice President came during his meeting with the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, at Baabda Palace.

The Turkish Vice-President conveyed to President Aoun the condolences of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish people and the full solidarity with the friendly Lebanese people, placing Turkey's capabilities at Lebanon's disposal in the areas of aid and relief, removing rubble and treating wounded and injured in Turkish hospitals.

He said, "Turkey will continue to provide support to Lebanon, especially in the reconstruction of Beirut's port and the damaged buildings, especially in terms of securing glass and building supplies."

President Aoun responded by thanking the Turkish support, and the Vice-President conveyed his greetings to President Erdogan and thanked him for the assistance that Turkey provided.

After  the meeting, Mr. Oktay told journalists, "After the violent explosion took place in the port of Beirut, His Excellency Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan immediately called His Excellency President Aoun and assured him that Turkey from the first moments is beside Lebanon.

He added: " As I mentioned, Turkish rescue teams are currently working in Beirut port, in addition to that, Turkish aid is continuing two field hospitals have been sent so far, in addition to medical aid with all other necessary supplies for them. We also sent about 400 tonnes of wheat and foodstuffs as a first payment to Lebanon, and this aid will continue."

He added: "During the meeting with His Excellency President Aoun, we presented to him the proposals of his Turkish counterpart to double the food and medical aid in addition to other aid. We passed on to him information related to the burns and emergency hospital that was established by Turkey in the Lebanese city of Sidon and it has not yet entered the framework of work. It must be operational in these difficult circumstances as soon as possible, Turkey is ready to complete all the deficiencies and all the medical devices in it. "

FRANCE AID CONTINUES

The French Embassy in Beirut announced France’s ongoing aid to Lebanon, saying in a statement that “since the early hours of the Beirut port blast, France has mobilized all its capabilities to help Lebanon and the Lebanese.”

“French aid continues to Lebanon until this day without any impediment, and a real air bridge has been established between the two countries with the arrival of at least one French plane daily to Lebanon. These aircrafts carry in particular medicines, vaccines and food aid, as well as experts in the sectors that Lebanon has identified according to its needs,” the statement added.

MOROCCAN PLANELOADS ARRIVE

The Moroccan Embassy in Beirut confirmed that “within the framework of the air bridge connecting Morocco and Lebanon to provide humanitarian aid to the brotherly Lebanese people, the number of aircrafts carrying aid to Lebanon has reached 14  cargo planes, with three additional aircraft expected to arrive in Beirut, bringing the total to 17.”

The Embassy statement added that the Moroccan aid has amounted to 300 tonnes of food supplies, 10 tonnes of medical equipment, 10 tonnes of logistical equipment used in accommodation, and 11 tonnes of medical equipment meant for treating COVID-19, in addition to a field hospital.




 














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