Iran offers condolences over Lebanon plane crash

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki extends condolences to his Lebanese counterpart Ali al-Shami over the crash of an Ethiopian plane off the coast of Lebanon.

The Iranian official also offered his condolences to the Lebanese government and people, especially the bereaved families.

The Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane — which was en route to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with 90 people aboard — crashed into the Mediterranean early Monday, shortly after take-off from the Beirut International Airport.

The passengers include 54 Lebanese, 22 Ethiopians, one Iraqi, one Frenchwoman, one Syrian national and seven crewmembers. Several dual nationals including two British-Lebanese, one Canadian-Lebanese and a Russian-Lebanese were also on the jet.

Lebanese officials announced that all 90 passengers onboard the plane were feared dead. Rescue operation teams have so far managed to recover 23 bodies from the crash site.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a day of mourning for the victims of the crash, ordering all government departments to close.