Hezbollah statement condemns Beirut blast, calls for national unity

In a statement released few hours after the massive explosion at Beirut Port on Tuesday, Hezbollah offered “deepest condolences over the national tragedy which took place in Lebanon in these hard times,” and urged national unity among all the Lebanese.

“This grievous disaster, along with its unprecedented repercussions and damage it had caused on several levels, requires a national stand by all Lebanese people and powers in a bid to overcome this ordeal,” the Lebanese resistance movement underlined.

The blast ripped through the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, leaving at least 73 people dead and nearly 4,000 others injured. Several smaller explosions were heard before the bigger one occurred.

Footage shared on social media captured the moment of the bigger explosion, with a colossal shock wave seen traveling fast across several hundreds of meters and shrouding the area in thick smoke.

The huge explosion inflicted enormous material damage to the surrounding buildings and structures.

Hezbollah also on Tuesday hailed medical and rescue teams over their efforts to help those harmed by the blast, expressing readiness to offer all kinds of assistance to Lebanese citizens in this regard.

“We put all capabilities to serve our honored people and dear citizens when necessary,” the Lebanese resistance movement said.

Moreover, Hezbollah announced that a speech scheduled to be delivered by the movement’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday was adjourned to another date that will be revealed later, citing the national mourning which Lebanon is witnessing over the massive explosions.

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced three days of national mourning for the victims of the deadly blast in Lebanon, declaring a state of emergency across the country for two weeks.

Diab also vowed that those responsible for the massive blast in Beirut would be held to account, calling for international assistance to help the country, which is already beset by economic crises.

Few hours after the massive blast took place in Beirut, condolences and offers of help poured in from most countries in the world following Diab’s call for international assistance.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his "deepest condolences ... following the horrific explosions in Beirut" which he said had also injured some United Nations personnel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the country's full readiness to render any necessary help.

In a post on his official Twitter account on Tuesday, Zarif said Iranians thoughts and prayers are with the "great and resilient people of Lebanon."

The top Iranian diplomat also called on the Lebanese people and government to "stay strong.”

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wrote to his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, that "on behalf of the Syrian Arab people, we extend our sincere condolences to you and the Lebanese people.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people," according to a Kremlin statement.

"I ask you to convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all affected."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the country was "ready to provide assistance according to the needs expressed by the Lebanese authorities.”

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced sorrow at the tragic incident and called the pictures and videos from Beirut "shocking.”

"All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident," he wrote on Twitter. "The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet that, "We are monitoring and stand ready to assist the people of Lebanon as they recover from this horrible tragedy.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his country’s assistance to the Lebanese and said, "We think of all those who were injured in this tragic explosion, as well as those who are trying to find a friend or family member or who have lost a loved one. We're ready to help you."

Persian Gulf countries were among the first to react, with Qatar promising to send field hospitals to support the medical response in Lebanon.

Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani wished "a speedy recovery for the injured," while the United Arab Emirates' Vice President and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, tweeted "our condolences to our beloved people in Lebanon."

Kuwait said it would also send emergency medical aid to Lebanon.

Egypt expressed "deep concern" at the destruction, and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboulgheit offered condolences, stressing "the importance of finding the truth about the explosions.”