Lebanon: Two-week state of emergency after port blast

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has called for a two-week state of emergency in the wake of a massive explosion, which swept through the capital Beirut leaving at least 100 people dead and 4,000 others injured.

The Middle East country Tuesday lived its darkest day in history after explosion at the Beirut port. The blast ripped through the capital causing important damages.

Authorities launched investigations to establish the cause of the explosion but early assumptions by officials point at some 2,750 tons of confiscated ammonium nitrate that were being stored in a warehouse at the port for six years.

President Aoun, Al Jazeera reports, called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday and requested a two-week state of emergency.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for a day of mourning on Wednesday.

The blast, whose impact could be felt miles away, has destroyed houses, leaving between 200,000 and 250,000 without a roof.

Several countries around the globe have expressed solidarity with Lebanon. France promised to send two military planes to Lebanon with search and rescue experts, 15 tons of sanitary equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people.

Iran has offered to treat those injured and in need of medical assistance. Qatar and Malaysia also have offered to help.

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