Lebanese president appeals for aid to support crisis-hit Lebanon

By Waseem Saifeddin
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Wednesday appealed for international aid to help the Arab country provide basic services to citizens.

"Lebanon is currently going through the hardest times," Aoun said in a French-invited virtual donor conference held on the first anniversary of Beirut blast.

"There is no doubt that Lebanon needs every assistance and support from the international community, after determining needs and priorities," Aoun added in his remarks cited in a statement released by the Lebanese Presidency.

Aoun stressed that restoring full operation of the Beirut Port was a top priority.

"Rehabilitating, developing and fully re-operating the port of Beirut - the artery of the Lebanese economy - is a pressing necessity and a top priority for us, and any international effort is welcome in this respect,” he added.

On August 4, a massive blast rocked the port, killing 200 people, injuring around 6,000 others, and leaving behind a massive trail of destruction.

The blast was caused by a quantity of 2,750 tons of hazardous nitrate ammonium that were improperly stored in the port.

The massive blast made the already fragile situation in Lebanon even worse amid a continued economic deterioration and a political deadlock that left the country without a government for a year.

Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara