Ruined buildings after the two explosions in Beirut, Tuesday August 4, 2020. - Hassan Ammar / AP / SIPA

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THE ESSENTIAL

  • Two huge explosions in the port of Beirut on Tuesday left at least 100 dead and 4,000 injured, and caused scenes of devastation and panic in the Lebanese capital, declared a “disaster” city.
  • According to Prime Minister Hassan Diab, these blasts are due to the explosion of some 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port.
  • A day of national mourning was declared on Wednesday “for the victims of the explosion in the port of Beirut”.

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Explosions in Beirut: In shock, residents of the capital wake up in a city in ruins

World

Explosions in Beirut: At least 100 dead and nearly 4,000 injured, day of national mourning Wednesday

9.45 am: Lebanese government to hold emergency meeting on Wednesday

Yesterday, the Supreme Defense Council "recommended" to the government to declare a "state of emergency" for two weeks in the city of Beirut.

During this period, a "supreme military power will be in charge of all the prerogatives in matters of security", according to the closing press release of the Supreme Defense Council.

9:30 am: Guérini, Le Pen, Bayou ... In France, political leaders say their unanimous "solidarity"

From the far left to the far right, political party officials say Wednesday their total "solidarity" with Lebanon, "a friendly country", after the double explosion which left at least 100 dead in Beirut and thousands of injured . The announcement of the explosion caused an avalanche of political reactions in France on Twitter.

The images from Beirut leave us speechless. I extend my solidarity to the Lebanese after these terrible explosions and my heartfelt thoughts to the victims and their loved ones. France is at their side.

- Stanislas Guerini (@StanGuerini) August 4, 2020

Horrible explosion in #Beyrouth. France must come to the rescue. #Lebanon is our friend.

- Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) August 4, 2020

In thoughts with the Lebanese people after the terrible explosion in #Beyrouth.
Solidarity. #Libanhttps: //t.co/O5FqhQaNZo
via Le Monde

- Julien Bayou (@julienbayou) August 4, 2020

Terrible explosion in the port of Beirut. The images are terrifying.

In these difficult times for Lebanon, already hard hit by the crisis, I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and all my support to the Lebanese in the face of this tragedy. MLP #Beyrouth

- Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) August 4, 2020

Hello everyone and welcome to this live. Today, we are following the evolution of the situation in Beirut, after the deadly explosions on Tuesday, which killed at least 100 people.

  • Explosion
  • Beirut
  • Lebanon
  • World