Senior MP Assures Lebanon of Iran’s Cooperation, Assistance in Hard Days

Chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mojtaba Zonnouri underlined his country’s firm decision to help Lebanon stand up again after the recent devastating blast.

Zonnouri made the remarks in a meeting with the Lebanese envoy at the country’s embassy in Tehran on Tuesday.

He expressed regret over the recent explosion which left thousands of people dead and wounded and destroyed a huge part of Beirut, and said, “This threat will certainly turn into a good opportunity and will lead to national unity and integrity.”

Zinnouri voiced confidence that the ruins will be reconstructed again by efforts of the brave and patient Lebanese nation and government, saying, “The Iranian government, parliament and nation will always remain beside the Lebanese people at all junctures.”

A mega explosion rocked the Lebanese capital last Tuesday. Terrifying footage showed a huge mushroom cloud of fire and smoke covering much of Beirut’s port area, blowing out windows and destroying buildings in the neighborhood, as a warehouse at the Beirut docks caught fire last Tuesday afternoon. Photos on social media showed many buildings in the area damaged or destroyed, leaving residents covered in glass and blood.

Several smaller explosions were heard before the bigger one occurred and turned the city’s streets into a debris-strewn wasteland.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health announced that over 200 people have been killed in the blast at Beirut’s port last Tuesday, while at least 6,000 others have been injured. The explosion left 300,000 homeless, as vast part of the city has been fallen into ruin. Red Cross volunteers at the scene of the explosion declared they expect the death toll to rise.

Lebanese rescue workers and army soldiers are struggling to remove huge items of debris in search for possible survivors at Beirut’s port. The Lebanese Red Cross believes there are still tens of people missing.

Health Minister Hamad Hassan blamed the explosion on a fireworks accident, ordering all hospitals in Beirut to prepare for the victims of the incident.

Lebanese General Security Director Abbas Ibrahim has also dismissed rumors of Israeli involvement, noting that a large cache of highly explosive sodium nitrate was stored at the site, after being confiscated off a ship several months ago. He did not explain how the fire has started.