In what is indicative of the greater impact of Beirut blast, Unicef released its estimate saying that tragedy has caused trauma to 600,000 children. Unicef representative to Lebanon Yukie Mokuo addressed the media on Friday and provided information.

She said that impact of the Beirut blast was not only in terms of physical injuries but also psychological. The blast, which claimed at least 180 lives and injured thousands has had an impact of thousands of families and children were caught in social, medical and other after-effects.

Mokuo said that it was necessary for us to ensure that children could speak out and play.

She said that Unicef had begun to provide psycho-social support to children and 2000 children had been brought under the folds of its outreach.

Latest on Beirut blast:

The tragedy completed a month on September 4. Authorities in the city organised programs to remember those who perished in Lebanon's largest peacetime tragedy.

Rescue and salvage workers are still working. They are trying to locate survivors who may still be buried under the debris but the chances of anyone surviving under the rubble are dimming with each passing moment.

On Friday, rescuers detected a 'heartbeat' on their sensors in Mar Mikhael area of the city. This gave rise to speculation that someone was trapped under the debris and was still alive. However, subsequent search has not yielded anything.

Residents of Beirut have been quoted by news agencies as being unhappy with the government efforts in the aftermath of the blast. 
&nbsp;

In what is indicative of the greater impact of Beirut blast, Unicef released its estimate saying that tragedy has caused trauma to 600,000 children. Unicef representative to Lebanon Yukie Mokuo addressed the media on Friday and provided information.

In what is indicative of the greater impact of Beirut blast, Unicef released its estimate saying that tragedy has caused trauma to 600,000 children. Unicef representative to Lebanon Yukie Mokuo addressed the media on Friday and provided information. She said that impact of the Beirut blast was not only in terms of physical injuries but also psychological. The blast, which claimed at least 180 lives and injured thousands has had an impact of thousands of families and children were caught in social, medical and other after-effects. Mokuo said that it was necessary for us to ensure that children could speak out and play. She said that Unicef had begun to provide psycho-social support to children and 2000 children had been brought under the folds of its outreach. Latest on Beirut blast: The tragedy completed a month on September 4. Authorities in the city organised programs to remember those who perished in Lebanon's largest peacetime tragedy. Rescue and salvage workers are still working. They are trying to locate survivors who may still be buried under the debris but the chances of anyone surviving under the rubble are dimming with each passing moment. On Friday, rescuers detected a 'heartbeat' on their sensors in Mar Mikhael area of the city. This gave rise to speculation that someone was trapped under the debris and was still alive. However, subsequent search has not yielded anything. Residents of Beirut have been quoted by news agencies as being unhappy with the government efforts in the aftermath of the blast.

Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef

People in Lebanon observed a minute of silence, marking the passing of one month since the devastating Beirut Port explosion that shook the country and in honour of the 190 people killed by the blast.

One month of deadly blast, people in Lebanon observed one minute of silence

Rescue workers in Beirut dug through the rubble of a collapsed building with their hands on Friday after signs of life were detected under a mound of debris one month after a huge explosion shattered the capital.

Beirut blast: Rescue workers trace signs of life under debris

Rescue and salvage efforts are ongoing a month after the deadly explosion in Beirut that claimed around&nbsp;200 lives. Rescuers detected a 'heartbeat' under the rubble which set off speculation that a person may be b uried and still alive under the debris. The reports are unconfirmed at this point.

However, special sensor equipments were sent to Mar MiKhael area to probe the possibility of a living person trapped under the debris.

"These (signs of breathing and pulse) along with the temperature sensor means there is a possibility of life," rescue worker Eddy Bitar told reporters at the scene. he was quoted by Reuters.

The search was initially suspended overnight but voluteers continued working.

Also Read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/half-of-lebanons-population-could-face-food-crisis-after-beirut-port-blast-un-324103">Half of Lebanon's population could face food crisis after Beirut port blast: UN</a> 
&nbsp;

News of the rescue prompted crowds to form at the rescue site, who grew angry as rescue efforts were paused in a city desperate for hope.

What's latest on Beirut explosion?

Outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab was questioned by judicial investigator in connection with the explosion, reported Xinhua. Diab is the highest-ranking official to have been questioned in this matter so far.

He has been criticised for not ensuring that 2750 tonnes of highly explosive Ammonium Nitrate was not safely stored and instead was kept in warehouses at Beirut port close to residential areas of the city.

On Thursday, newly appointed director of Beirut port said that around 4 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate was still stored near the entrance of the port. He urged the authorities to re-export the explosive material to avoid another disaster.

Rescue and salvage efforts are ongoing a month after the deadly explosion in Beirut that claimed around 200 lives. Rescuers detected a 'heartbeat' under the rubble which set off speculation that a person may be b uried and still alive under the debris.

Rescue and salvage efforts are ongoing a month after the deadly explosion in Beirut that claimed around 200 lives. Rescuers detected a 'heartbeat' under the rubble which set off speculation that a person may be b uried and still alive under the debris. The reports are unconfirmed at this point. However, special sensor equipments were sent to Mar MiKhael area to probe the possibility of a living person trapped under the debris. "These (signs of breathing and pulse) along with the temperature sensor means there is a possibility of life," rescue worker Eddy Bitar told reporters at the scene. he was quoted by Reuters. The search was initially suspended overnight but voluteers continued working. Also Read: Half of Lebanon's population could face food crisis after Beirut port blast: UN News of the rescue prompted crowds to form at the rescue site, who grew angry as rescue efforts were paused in a city desperate for hope. What's latest on Beirut explosion? Outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab was questioned by judicial investigator in connection with the explosion, reported Xinhua. Diab is the highest-ranking official to have been questioned in this matter so far. He has been criticised for not ensuring that 2750 tonnes of highly explosive Ammonium Nitrate was not safely stored and instead was kept in warehouses at Beirut port close to residential areas of the city. On Thursday, newly appointed director of Beirut port said that around 4 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate was still stored near the entrance of the port. He urged the authorities to re-export the explosive material to avoid another disaster.

Beirut Explosion: Rescuers hear 'heartbeat' under rubble one month after disaster

French President Emmanuel Macron said Lebanon's embattled leaders had pledged Tuesday to form a crisis cabinet within two weeks to push forward with key reforms, as he visited the disaster-hit country. Macron is in Beirut for a second time since an August 4 explosion there which killed more than 180 people, laid waste to entire city districts and fuelled popular rage against the country's political elite.

French President Emmanuel Macron: Ready to host second aid conference for Lebanon

The deadly Beirut port blast on August 4 this year set the tone for a subdued 100 year anniversary for the state of Lebanon. In this segment of WION, take a look back at 100 years of Lebanon.

A look back at 100 years of Lebanon | WION Ground Report

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut hours after Lebanese leaders named diplomat Mustapha Adib as the new prime minister on Monday (August 31) under French pressure.

French President Emmanuel Macron in Lebanon for a two-day visit

A UN agency on Sunday said that over a half of Lebanon's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of Beirut port blast. Also read: Beirut port blast death toll rises to 190 "More than half of the country's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year's end," the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said.

A UN agency on Sunday said that over a half of Lebanon's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of Beirut port blast. Also read: Beirut port blast death toll rises to 190 "More than half of the country's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year's end," the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said. Also read: French President Macron warns of new civil war in Lebanon "Immediate measures should be taken to prevent a food crisis," ESCWA executive secretary Rola Dashti said. According to her, the Lebanese government must prioritise the rebuilding of silos at the Beirut port, the country's largest grain storage. Lebanon was already going through an economic collapse before the massive blast at Beirut's port that killed 190 people and wounded thousands. The country is facing problems like debt, the local currency has plummeted in value on the black market and soaring poverty rates with a spike in coronavirus cases. "The yearly average inflation rate is expected to be more than 50 percent in 2020, compared with 2.9 percent in 2019," ESCWA said in a statement. As per the aid agencies and experts, Lebanon relies on imports for 85 per cent of its food needs and the annihilation of the silos at the Beirut port could worsen an already alarming situation. ESCWA said increased transaction costs of food imports could lead to a further rise in prices. Rola Dashti added that to prevent a crisis, authorities must set a ceiling for food prices and encourage direct sales from local producers to consumers. She also urged the international community to "expand food security programmes targeting refugees and host communities" to help defuse "potential social tensions". Earlier this month, ESCWA said more than 55 per cent of the Lebanese are "trapped in poverty and struggling for bare necessities". (Inputs from AFP)

Half of Lebanon's population could face food crisis after Beirut port blast: UN

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned that Lebanon risks a return to civil war if it is left alone to deal with the crisis that followed the deadly Beirut port explosion this month.

Macron was speaking as he prepared to head to Lebanon on Monday in a new bid to press its leaders to undertake radical reform in the wake of the explosion this month that left 181 dead.

“If we let Lebanon go in the region and if we somehow leave it in the hands of the depravity of regional powers, it will be civil war” as well as “the defeat of what is the very identity of Lebanon,” he said.

Paris is impatient over the lack of progress in forming a new government to undertake reform in the aftermath of the blast, which was blamed on a store of ammonium nitrate left for years in a warehouse.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-at-risk-of-disappearing-french-foreign-minister-warns-323433">Lebanon at 'risk of disappearing', French Foreign Minister warns</a> 
 
Many Lebanese have blamed the disaster on a ruling class they charge as being mired in nepotism, corruption and neglect since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Macron spoke of the “constraints of a confessional system” in a country populated by Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shiites.

But he said that added to this was “what can be mildly described as vested interests” and this had led to “a situation where there is hardly any [political] renewal and where there is there is almost an impossibility of carrying out reforms.”

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He insisted that France would follow a policy of being “demanding without interfering” and awaited reforms like passing an anti-corruption law and reforming public contracts, the energy sector and the banking system.

“If we do not do this, the Lebanese economy will collapse” and “the only victim will be the Lebanese people… who cannot go into exile,” he warned.

He extolled Lebanon’s multi-confessional make-up saying it “is perhaps one of the last existing forms” in the Middle East of the “peaceful possible coexistence of religions” and a pluralist system based on “education and culture.” 
&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned that Lebanon risks a return to civil war if it is left alone to deal with the crisis that followed the deadly Beirut port explosion this month.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday warned that Lebanon risks a return to civil war if it is left alone to deal with the crisis that followed the deadly Beirut port explosion this month. Macron was speaking as he prepared to head to Lebanon on Monday in a new bid to press its leaders to undertake radical reform in the wake of the explosion this month that left 181 dead. “If we let Lebanon go in the region and if we somehow leave it in the hands of the depravity of regional powers, it will be civil war” as well as “the defeat of what is the very identity of Lebanon,” he said. Paris is impatient over the lack of progress in forming a new government to undertake reform in the aftermath of the blast, which was blamed on a store of ammonium nitrate left for years in a warehouse. Also Read | Lebanon at 'risk of disappearing', French Foreign Minister warns Many Lebanese have blamed the disaster on a ruling class they charge as being mired in nepotism, corruption and neglect since the 1975-1990 civil war. Macron spoke of the “constraints of a confessional system” in a country populated by Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shiites. But he said that added to this was “what can be mildly described as vested interests” and this had led to “a situation where there is hardly any [political] renewal and where there is there is almost an impossibility of carrying out reforms.” × He insisted that France would follow a policy of being “demanding without interfering” and awaited reforms like passing an anti-corruption law and reforming public contracts, the energy sector and the banking system. “If we do not do this, the Lebanese economy will collapse” and “the only victim will be the Lebanese people… who cannot go into exile,” he warned. He extolled Lebanon’s multi-confessional make-up saying it “is perhaps one of the last existing forms” in the Middle East of the “peaceful possible coexistence of religions” and a pluralist system based on “education and culture.”

French President Macron warns of new civil war in Lebanon

By:&nbsp;Ghadi Francis for WION 
 
Equations in West Asia are changing. Israel struck a peace deal with UAE recently. The agreement was brokered by the USA. Hezbollah, the organisation in Lebanon often finds itself part of various equations in the region. WION spoke with Ibrahim Al Moussawi, Lebanese&nbsp;MP and Hezbollah spokesperson on situation in West Asia and the organisation's role in it. 
 
WION: First viewers in the world, West Asia see Hezbollah as the villain or terrorist group. Where would you like to start in defining what Hezbollah is regarding in the area in the region?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Well thank you for giving the opportunity to give a kind of review of Hezbollah. It's not the viewer who views Hezbollah as the terrorist or the villain of West Asia, I would say we're a, simply we are a resistance movement against occupation, when you resist them, you resist an action, that is a reaction to an action, we resist the Israeli occupation, the Israeli invasion, the Israeli expansionist trend in the area. We all know that Israel is one manifestation of the new liberal, capitalist,....... colonial West.

We have to remember that the number one supporter of Israel in the whole world is the USA, and America itself ,the United States of America is responsible for most of the problems all over the world, you know it spreads the military bases all over and it interferes in internal affairs of many countries, it supports operations.

I will simply put Hezbollah as a group of people, organised people, who stood against the occupation against the operation. they are rightful people. We are rightful people. We support the right, the independence, the liberty, we have never attacked anyone, we have never come to anybody's land, we are talking about our land, we are talking about West Asia, we are talking about Palestine, occupied Palestine, not Israel, the manifestation or the cancerous &nbsp;glands (reference to Israel) that has been put by the West into this part of the area, our sense, the existence of Israel.

We are suffering not only in the Lebanon, in the Arab world, in Syria, we have .... heights that are occupied in Egypt during the ....., we have .... it has no full independence, also we are talking about Jordan, we are talking about west bank and Gaza, we are talking about Palestine.

So here you are talking about a ... high regime in the 21st century that is oppressing people, killing people, that are not allowing them to go to schools, there are a lot of massacres, ....... of massacres that they have done. It is evident for everybody, yet the United States continues to support it, with high tech weaponry, with the Veto power, in the United Nations, in the Security Council, and we are in a position to defend, to liberate and to fight operations.

WION: Okay, since you spoke profoundly about the ideology problem with Israel, where do you stand today when the UAE and Saudi Arabia are going to start flights after their peace deal? How does Hezbollah react to that?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Well we have, actually this is not the first time that an Arab country has done&nbsp;what the UAE did. Egypt has done this. It is of&nbsp;1980s.

Also, Jordan, we know about it, yet the Jordanians are not immune to the Israeli aggression, now they are talking about annexing&nbsp;parts of Jordan or if they are talking about a kind of exodus of the Palestinians to go to Jordan. Up till now there is a B plan in the Israeli agenda, in case they want the Palestinians to evacuate from Palestine from the remaining part of Palestine they want to send them to Jordan, as a second country or alternative country for them.

So here you talk about an Israeli occupation, an Israeli entity that we never recognized.&nbsp;We will never recognise [Israel] at any time because this is Palestine first. After this it can be about&nbsp;UAE or&nbsp;Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, Oman or any other country. You're talking about things that came to the public but it has always been there. We have never been surprised at all with the new ties between UAE...

[WION: Do you think how were they publicized is it really just the way..you..]

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: I would say it's a combination of so many different things, we know now that ....&nbsp;Netanyahu now is in a political dilemma and so is&nbsp;Trump. They want to have more points in their record to go to the race.&nbsp;For Trump, it is about the&nbsp;presidential race next November and for the Israeli entity, it is the problem of the political stalemate. So its there in the internal politics there but it has always been a fixed part of their agenda when it comes to the Palestinians and the Arabs.

WION: Having spoken about that, about the presidential race, about how this would affect or give them like I have delivered something to give to their voters. I want to ask you we have witnessed.. change in Europe, after the Syrian uprising and the Syrian war, the Europeans were affected, and they changed many.. many actions from the voters...

Today, as Hezbollah do you see that you really have effect (read influence) from West Asia to the world in the Presidential race. Because Syria did have effect in the Presidential races in Europe. Do you see Hezbollah's activities in the Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the GCC even countries as a strategic force in &nbsp;the West Asia. How does Hezbollah affect the elections in the United States?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: We do not work or function on all of the places that you mentioned specially you said GCC or other places but if you mean the clout, the influence, the sympathy of the people, here in the Arab world we have to make a complete dichotomy between the regimes, the governments and the people, &nbsp;because if you go to the peoples opinion and you have rightful public opinion, pollsters will have complete leader-front results. The people hearts, the people minds are with Palestine, are against the normalisation of relations with Israel. They support the rightful case or cause of the Palestinians, of the resistance and this is very important if there were any kind of poll that would tell you and reflect the genuine, the real opinion of the people with a completely different regimes and governments, in this sense they are imposed from above, they are being supported by the Western colonialist powers in order to continue to perpetuate the interest of the West in out areas and you can see this.

The great arms deals that take place&nbsp;funnel&nbsp;billions of dollars to the West perpetuating&nbsp;their economy. And&nbsp;they are happy about the wars in our area. Now when you talk about West Asia, this is very important question from your side that I appreciate, when you talk about west Asia, those people all together and the resistance movement and the elites, those people who are sober enough, are aware enough, are conscious enough of the western American agenda in our area, they have to collaborate their efforts and co-ordinate and be whistle-blower, if we have something in Beirut, all of the people, all of the masses, all over the Arab world or the Islamic world or the West Asia they should be able to reflect their support to the cause of the oppressed people.

After all, if you want to make a differentiation, what's happening, you are talking here about right and wrong, you are talking about just and peace &amp; oppression and war, we are to the side of peace and the resistance and liberty and the independence away from the intervention of the expansionist, colonialist powers like United States or parts of Europe.

WION: But my question was..in the sense to make it as simple as possible. Does Hezbollah &amp; the prevailing of Hezbollah, the survival of Hezbollah in Lebanon &amp; Syria and the survival of Iran against the sanctions. Does this power in the West Asia affect the Presidential race in the United States?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: To a certain extent, you know there&nbsp;are many, so many files in the department, we represent one or two .. in it. When the United States wants to prevail in Iraq and then the resistance in Iraq fails it and make it a complete failure, this is going to put a bad record, a bad remark for Trump

WION: Is this what's happening?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: This is what's happening, absolutely. Withdrawn their troops from there, this has reshuffled the papers in the area and I would say that, the kind of rising resistance in the region is going to put an end to this colonialist expansionist American trend in the area, if this was not the case, I would say many of the powers in the West Asia would crumble and would collapse, even if you talk about governments.

Absolutely, I mean, even if you take this aside. &nbsp;Take India for example. It&nbsp;is a&nbsp;rising and important power.

India is not like&nbsp;United States or America. India is the country of Mahatma Gandhi. It's has history of revolution of peaceful people against British colonial power for centuries.

Had it not been for the will and determination of Indian people and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, India would still be under the mandate of a Western power.

That's why people's movement is important in putting an end to colonial power and in raising hope for real independence.

That's why we want to collaborate as people. We are an organisation, we are a party, but we do represent millions of people all over the region &amp; we have to convince them.. the problem is that, here in this part of the world they used to say that the Israeli army is the invincible army, you can do nothing about it. It is supported by the United States, that it is going to guarantee their supremacy..supremacy of the Israeli forces, so you can do nothing about it.

Because we are the people who have determination, resolve, will, faith in our culture, our civilization. This is the same that is there in India &amp; in West Asia, for different cultures &amp; people, they have this patience, they have this perseverance, they have this faith in their culture.. then we will win &amp; we will prevail &amp; they will definitely fail.

If we are going to surrender, and say we are going to nothing about it, they are going to perpetuate &amp; make their colonial power survive.

Now this is not what we want to see.

WION: What kind of.. What kind of industrial or.. What kind of aspirations do you all have ----

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: There are many levels, we can coordinate our efforts together what they lack, we can give they have.. &nbsp;for example when you talk about India you think about a high-tech&nbsp;country. Even those who are making America prosper are Indians and not&nbsp;Americans.&nbsp;When you talk about talk about talent in in&nbsp;Silicon Valley,&nbsp;when you talk about those who are earning or those who have a high PhD per capita in America, you consider Indian-Americans. They are basically Indians or they come from Asia, not only from Pakistan..other countries.

And they were able to create the system that could serve as a magnetic absorb all of the capabilities &amp; creative power of people of all over the world.

We have to have this determination, we have to have this decision that we want to get with this brain drain. There is a brain drain happening in these areas &amp; they go to America &amp; they make more &amp; more perpetuation for the American glory per say.

That's why I believe we have huge opportunity in building..in high-tech, in technology.. in different areas weather industry or economy or agriculture, different areas of co-operation can work here

 
WION: And one more question because I didn't have .. this, one more which is the typical we are gonna ask.... being said its the 3rd biggest explosion&nbsp;in the world [Ibrahim Al Moussawi: True, 3rd or 4th we are not sure] Maybe, Beirut explosion, what happened afterwards..a lot of media is trying to deliver the message that &nbsp;Hezbollah has to do with the cargoes &amp; everything.

What do you have to say or to comment about the tremendous explosion that happened in Beirut, where does Hezbollah stand regarding that?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: First of all, there is an organized campaign from the West, from America, from different mouthpieces in Europe like Der Spiegel, Le Figaro and other media outlets. They want to portray that&nbsp;Hezbollah was behind Beirut blast.

We have UNIFIL.. their ships..monitoring ships, monitoring &nbsp;systems in the Mediterranean. And they can watch every single thing that happened.

Hezbollah&nbsp;has&nbsp;categorically refused &amp; denied any responsibility or&nbsp; any connection with this explosion. We have never used the port of Beirut for any kind of military or security action.

It's under the supervision of the Lebanese state, Lebanese Army, the Lebanese security forces.

All of what you hear here of there by the Western media is the kind of agenda that they want to put Hezbollah name there, so it can do other actions and they can..if you want &nbsp;..mislead people about our identity, of our true figure.

We were in a complete shock after what&nbsp;happened. This is one of the result&nbsp;of huge corruption in the Lebanese state.&nbsp;[WION: They think the...] and we support investigation. &nbsp;Look when you talk about the investigation we have never done anything to jump to conclusions.

The investigation is underway.&nbsp;We have to wait&nbsp;till the investigation is concluded and then we will all see what happens.

WION: Okay, because anyone who is watching can see the port of Haifa is the.. most...

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: If you are alluding.. If you are alluding that the Israelis have interest, that they have keen interest, and they do serve many&nbsp;of their great interests in having an alternative place rather than the port of Beirut, this is one option.

But if we want to hold others responsible, we have to have a full evidence about it.

WION: There is one more question; Everyone in Lebanon will hear the lobby..intelligentia you are speaking about resolution that would happen ..or the talks that would happen with Iran, between United States &amp; Iran, once they are resumed many things would change, maybe after the Presidential race &amp; even say Nasrallah and President Bashar al-Assad have said many&nbsp;times that this kind of President is better than others, that Trump would serve better because he is bluntly stupid actually this what has been said. But regardless, what do you have to say about the Iranian-American talks and how would they affect. Do you really like look forward to that.. it would set peace..

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: I would say, look you are talking about very fluctuating issue that has to do with the Republicans &amp; the Democrats in America. Now with Trump would going to the Presidential race in next November, everybody is waiting. And he has said that he is going to finalize a deal with Iran within one week or whatever. But here you are talking about ab locate. &nbsp;Part of our.. we here in Lebanon are suffering from a very complicated manifold crisis that has to do with economy, monetary issues, financial issues, economic issues, social issues and there is a blockade against Lebanon by United States America, by part of its Arab countries that support United States America. We would rather depend on ourselves, we should not be waiting for anything. 
I would say if a deal has been concluded between Iran &amp; America, I believe this is going to help all over the region. But we do not pin hopes on what our enemies will do or wouldn't do. We have to depend on ourselves &amp; continue.

Patience, Perseverance &amp; Determination will help.

WION: This is something, I do not know if you are free to it answer or not, because you are speaking like that. We know that Hezbollah is a part of the Parliament, part of society in Lebanon and its not like [Ibrahim Al MOussawi: part of the govt, yes]. But still, you have a big percentage of Lebanese society that would say all the crisis, all the sanctions, all these issues are Hezbollah's fault and they are Lebanese &amp; they are perpetuating their points of views in Western media. So what do you have to say about Lebanon, are these...

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: They are not big percentage to tell you the truth ... We have a political division in the country, simply. Actually, sometimes people are being misled, certain are being misled.

I would say up till now, I would say ..and you have the right to go and see, as a party, as a political party we enjoy wider public support in the country.

Here you are talking about the wider public support in the country.

Though there is a political campaign against us from the Western media, there is a blockade &amp; they are pin-pointing against us. We know very well that Feltman said we have spent 500 million dollars in order to tarnish the image of Hezbollah in order to distort the image of Hezbollah.

Now they are doing the same, they are subduing, they are subjugating the Lebanese into kind of blockade &amp; say we are doing this because of Hezbollah. So they are trying to plant a wedge between Hezbollah &amp; Public. This is not going to happen.

the people are smart and keen enough to understand, others who are like serving .... as mouthpeice to the West and saying they are doing it because of the Hazebollah, you are talking keen about collaborative with, or represting the western view of the politics, while if you talk about the Lebanese, real Lebanese all over the factions they wouldn't agree with this description.

WION: Would you like to tell us about how strong is Hezbollah?

Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Look.. look we're strong and we are determined, we have resolve, we have determination, we have the voted people, dedicated people because we have this faith. It is not a matter of how many people do you have, it's not matter of how many arms and what kind of arms do you have. Look, those who have been supported by the Western part, we know very well that the west has the hi-tech, they have the best arms all over the world, they have the best intelligence all over, they have people who are fighting with them.

I believe this is something to do with the soul or the spirit of the West Asia or the Asians, here you talk about, we in this part of the world have spirit, have a different spirit, not a materialistic spirit. In India, you have this kind of homage and devotion for certain spiritual forces, that they define it. Here we believe in Allah, we believe in God, even the region here, it's the place of the heavenly religions you know,

Christianity, Judaism, Islam came to this part. The prophets, the messengers came here, we have this link with God, we have this link with heaven, we have this link with the divine and I believe when you talk about divinity, no matter how much you talk about materialistic things, it falls down.

By: Ghadi Francis for WION Equations in West Asia are changing. Israel struck a peace deal with UAE recently. The agreement was brokered by the USA. Hezbollah, the organisation in Lebanon often finds itself part of various equations in the region.

By: Ghadi Francis for WION Equations in West Asia are changing. Israel struck a peace deal with UAE recently. The agreement was brokered by the USA. Hezbollah, the organisation in Lebanon often finds itself part of various equations in the region. WION spoke with Ibrahim Al Moussawi, Lebanese MP and Hezbollah spokesperson on situation in West Asia and the organisation's role in it. WION: First viewers in the world, West Asia see Hezbollah as the villain or terrorist group. Where would you like to start in defining what Hezbollah is regarding in the area in the region? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Well thank you for giving the opportunity to give a kind of review of Hezbollah. It's not the viewer who views Hezbollah as the terrorist or the villain of West Asia, I would say we're a, simply we are a resistance movement against occupation, when you resist them, you resist an action, that is a reaction to an action, we resist the Israeli occupation, the Israeli invasion, the Israeli expansionist trend in the area. We all know that Israel is one manifestation of the new liberal, capitalist,....... colonial West. We have to remember that the number one supporter of Israel in the whole world is the USA, and America itself ,the United States of America is responsible for most of the problems all over the world, you know it spreads the military bases all over and it interferes in internal affairs of many countries, it supports operations. I will simply put Hezbollah as a group of people, organised people, who stood against the occupation against the operation. they are rightful people. We are rightful people. We support the right, the independence, the liberty, we have never attacked anyone, we have never come to anybody's land, we are talking about our land, we are talking about West Asia, we are talking about Palestine, occupied Palestine, not Israel, the manifestation or the cancerous glands (reference to Israel) that has been put by the West into this part of the area, our sense, the existence of Israel. We are suffering not only in the Lebanon, in the Arab world, in Syria, we have .... heights that are occupied in Egypt during the ....., we have .... it has no full independence, also we are talking about Jordan, we are talking about west bank and Gaza, we are talking about Palestine. So here you are talking about a ... high regime in the 21st century that is oppressing people, killing people, that are not allowing them to go to schools, there are a lot of massacres, ....... of massacres that they have done. It is evident for everybody, yet the United States continues to support it, with high tech weaponry, with the Veto power, in the United Nations, in the Security Council, and we are in a position to defend, to liberate and to fight operations. WION: Okay, since you spoke profoundly about the ideology problem with Israel, where do you stand today when the UAE and Saudi Arabia are going to start flights after their peace deal? How does Hezbollah react to that? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Well we have, actually this is not the first time that an Arab country has done what the UAE did. Egypt has done this. It is of 1980s. Also, Jordan, we know about it, yet the Jordanians are not immune to the Israeli aggression, now they are talking about annexing parts of Jordan or if they are talking about a kind of exodus of the Palestinians to go to Jordan. Up till now there is a B plan in the Israeli agenda, in case they want the Palestinians to evacuate from Palestine from the remaining part of Palestine they want to send them to Jordan, as a second country or alternative country for them. So here you talk about an Israeli occupation, an Israeli entity that we never recognized. We will never recognise [Israel] at any time because this is Palestine first. After this it can be about UAE or Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, Oman or any other country. You're talking about things that came to the public but it has always been there. We have never been surprised at all with the new ties between UAE... [WION: Do you think how were they publicized is it really just the way..you..] Ibrahim Al Moussawi: I would say it's a combination of so many different things, we know now that .... Netanyahu now is in a political dilemma and so is Trump. They want to have more points in their record to go to the race. For Trump, it is about the presidential race next November and for the Israeli entity, it is the problem of the political stalemate. So its there in the internal politics there but it has always been a fixed part of their agenda when it comes to the Palestinians and the Arabs. WION: Having spoken about that, about the presidential race, about how this would affect or give them like I have delivered something to give to their voters. I want to ask you we have witnessed.. change in Europe, after the Syrian uprising and the Syrian war, the Europeans were affected, and they changed many.. many actions from the voters... Today, as Hezbollah do you see that you really have effect (read influence) from West Asia to the world in the Presidential race. Because Syria did have effect in the Presidential races in Europe. Do you see Hezbollah's activities in the Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the GCC even countries as a strategic force in the West Asia. How does Hezbollah affect the elections in the United States? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: We do not work or function on all of the places that you mentioned specially you said GCC or other places but if you mean the clout, the influence, the sympathy of the people, here in the Arab world we have to make a complete dichotomy between the regimes, the governments and the people, because if you go to the peoples opinion and you have rightful public opinion, pollsters will have complete leader-front results. The people hearts, the people minds are with Palestine, are against the normalisation of relations with Israel. They support the rightful case or cause of the Palestinians, of the resistance and this is very important if there were any kind of poll that would tell you and reflect the genuine, the real opinion of the people with a completely different regimes and governments, in this sense they are imposed from above, they are being supported by the Western colonialist powers in order to continue to perpetuate the interest of the West in out areas and you can see this. The great arms deals that take place funnel billions of dollars to the West perpetuating their economy. And they are happy about the wars in our area. Now when you talk about West Asia, this is very important question from your side that I appreciate, when you talk about west Asia, those people all together and the resistance movement and the elites, those people who are sober enough, are aware enough, are conscious enough of the western American agenda in our area, they have to collaborate their efforts and co-ordinate and be whistle-blower, if we have something in Beirut, all of the people, all of the masses, all over the Arab world or the Islamic world or the West Asia they should be able to reflect their support to the cause of the oppressed people. After all, if you want to make a differentiation, what's happening, you are talking here about right and wrong, you are talking about just and peace & oppression and war, we are to the side of peace and the resistance and liberty and the independence away from the intervention of the expansionist, colonialist powers like United States or parts of Europe. WION: But my question was..in the sense to make it as simple as possible. Does Hezbollah & the prevailing of Hezbollah, the survival of Hezbollah in Lebanon & Syria and the survival of Iran against the sanctions. Does this power in the West Asia affect the Presidential race in the United States? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: To a certain extent, you know there are many, so many files in the department, we represent one or two .. in it. When the United States wants to prevail in Iraq and then the resistance in Iraq fails it and make it a complete failure, this is going to put a bad record, a bad remark for Trump WION: Is this what's happening? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: This is what's happening, absolutely. Withdrawn their troops from there, this has reshuffled the papers in the area and I would say that, the kind of rising resistance in the region is going to put an end to this colonialist expansionist American trend in the area, if this was not the case, I would say many of the powers in the West Asia would crumble and would collapse, even if you talk about governments. Absolutely, I mean, even if you take this aside. Take India for example. It is a rising and important power. India is not like United States or America. India is the country of Mahatma Gandhi. It's has history of revolution of peaceful people against British colonial power for centuries. Had it not been for the will and determination of Indian people and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, India would still be under the mandate of a Western power. That's why people's movement is important in putting an end to colonial power and in raising hope for real independence. That's why we want to collaborate as people. We are an organisation, we are a party, but we do represent millions of people all over the region & we have to convince them.. the problem is that, here in this part of the world they used to say that the Israeli army is the invincible army, you can do nothing about it. It is supported by the United States, that it is going to guarantee their supremacy..supremacy of the Israeli forces, so you can do nothing about it. Because we are the people who have determination, resolve, will, faith in our culture, our civilization. This is the same that is there in India & in West Asia, for different cultures & people, they have this patience, they have this perseverance, they have this faith in their culture.. then we will win & we will prevail & they will definitely fail. If we are going to surrender, and say we are going to nothing about it, they are going to perpetuate & make their colonial power survive. Now this is not what we want to see. WION: What kind of.. What kind of industrial or.. What kind of aspirations do you all have ---- Ibrahim Al Moussawi: There are many levels, we can coordinate our efforts together what they lack, we can give they have.. for example when you talk about India you think about a high-tech country. Even those who are making America prosper are Indians and not Americans. When you talk about talk about talent in in Silicon Valley, when you talk about those who are earning or those who have a high PhD per capita in America, you consider Indian-Americans. They are basically Indians or they come from Asia, not only from Pakistan..other countries. And they were able to create the system that could serve as a magnetic absorb all of the capabilities & creative power of people of all over the world. We have to have this determination, we have to have this decision that we want to get with this brain drain. There is a brain drain happening in these areas & they go to America & they make more & more perpetuation for the American glory per say. That's why I believe we have huge opportunity in building..in high-tech, in technology.. in different areas weather industry or economy or agriculture, different areas of co-operation can work here WION: And one more question because I didn't have .. this, one more which is the typical we are gonna ask.... being said its the 3rd biggest explosion in the world [Ibrahim Al Moussawi: True, 3rd or 4th we are not sure] Maybe, Beirut explosion, what happened afterwards..a lot of media is trying to deliver the message that Hezbollah has to do with the cargoes & everything. What do you have to say or to comment about the tremendous explosion that happened in Beirut, where does Hezbollah stand regarding that? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: First of all, there is an organized campaign from the West, from America, from different mouthpieces in Europe like Der Spiegel, Le Figaro and other media outlets. They want to portray that Hezbollah was behind Beirut blast. We have UNIFIL.. their ships..monitoring ships, monitoring systems in the Mediterranean. And they can watch every single thing that happened. Hezbollah has categorically refused & denied any responsibility or any connection with this explosion. We have never used the port of Beirut for any kind of military or security action. It's under the supervision of the Lebanese state, Lebanese Army, the Lebanese security forces. All of what you hear here of there by the Western media is the kind of agenda that they want to put Hezbollah name there, so it can do other actions and they can..if you want ..mislead people about our identity, of our true figure. We were in a complete shock after what happened. This is one of the result of huge corruption in the Lebanese state. [WION: They think the...] and we support investigation. Look when you talk about the investigation we have never done anything to jump to conclusions. The investigation is underway. We have to wait till the investigation is concluded and then we will all see what happens. WION: Okay, because anyone who is watching can see the port of Haifa is the.. most... Ibrahim Al Moussawi: If you are alluding.. If you are alluding that the Israelis have interest, that they have keen interest, and they do serve many of their great interests in having an alternative place rather than the port of Beirut, this is one option. But if we want to hold others responsible, we have to have a full evidence about it. WION: There is one more question; Everyone in Lebanon will hear the lobby..intelligentia you are speaking about resolution that would happen ..or the talks that would happen with Iran, between United States & Iran, once they are resumed many things would change, maybe after the Presidential race & even say Nasrallah and President Bashar al-Assad have said many times that this kind of President is better than others, that Trump would serve better because he is bluntly stupid actually this what has been said. But regardless, what do you have to say about the Iranian-American talks and how would they affect. Do you really like look forward to that.. it would set peace.. Ibrahim Al Moussawi: I would say, look you are talking about very fluctuating issue that has to do with the Republicans & the Democrats in America. Now with Trump would going to the Presidential race in next November, everybody is waiting. And he has said that he is going to finalize a deal with Iran within one week or whatever. But here you are talking about ab locate. Part of our.. we here in Lebanon are suffering from a very complicated manifold crisis that has to do with economy, monetary issues, financial issues, economic issues, social issues and there is a blockade against Lebanon by United States America, by part of its Arab countries that support United States America. We would rather depend on ourselves, we should not be waiting for anything. I would say if a deal has been concluded between Iran & America, I believe this is going to help all over the region. But we do not pin hopes on what our enemies will do or wouldn't do. We have to depend on ourselves & continue. Patience, Perseverance & Determination will help. WION: This is something, I do not know if you are free to it answer or not, because you are speaking like that. We know that Hezbollah is a part of the Parliament, part of society in Lebanon and its not like [Ibrahim Al MOussawi: part of the govt, yes]. But still, you have a big percentage of Lebanese society that would say all the crisis, all the sanctions, all these issues are Hezbollah's fault and they are Lebanese & they are perpetuating their points of views in Western media. So what do you have to say about Lebanon, are these... Ibrahim Al Moussawi: They are not big percentage to tell you the truth ... We have a political division in the country, simply. Actually, sometimes people are being misled, certain are being misled. I would say up till now, I would say ..and you have the right to go and see, as a party, as a political party we enjoy wider public support in the country. Here you are talking about the wider public support in the country. Though there is a political campaign against us from the Western media, there is a blockade & they are pin-pointing against us. We know very well that Feltman said we have spent 500 million dollars in order to tarnish the image of Hezbollah in order to distort the image of Hezbollah. Now they are doing the same, they are subduing, they are subjugating the Lebanese into kind of blockade & say we are doing this because of Hezbollah. So they are trying to plant a wedge between Hezbollah & Public. This is not going to happen. the people are smart and keen enough to understand, others who are like serving .... as mouthpeice to the West and saying they are doing it because of the Hazebollah, you are talking keen about collaborative with, or represting the western view of the politics, while if you talk about the Lebanese, real Lebanese all over the factions they wouldn't agree with this description. WION: Would you like to tell us about how strong is Hezbollah? Ibrahim Al Moussawi: Look.. look we're strong and we are determined, we have resolve, we have determination, we have the voted people, dedicated people because we have this faith. It is not a matter of how many people do you have, it's not matter of how many arms and what kind of arms do you have. Look, those who have been supported by the Western part, we know very well that the west has the hi-tech, they have the best arms all over the world, they have the best intelligence all over, they have people who are fighting with them. I believe this is something to do with the soul or the spirit of the West Asia or the Asians, here you talk about, we in this part of the world have spirit, have a different spirit, not a materialistic spirit. In India, you have this kind of homage and devotion for certain spiritual forces, that they define it. Here we believe in Allah, we believe in God, even the region here, it's the place of the heavenly religions you know, Christianity, Judaism, Islam came to this part. The prophets, the messengers came here, we have this link with God, we have this link with heaven, we have this link with the divine and I believe when you talk about divinity, no matter how much you talk about materialistic things, it falls down.

Exclusive: Hezbollah not behind Beirut explosion, we are people standing against 'occupation', says Spokesperson

The Middle East's 21 billionaires have amassed $63 million every day since March, a combined bounty double the amount needed to repair the damage caused by the Beirut port blast, Oxfam said Thursday.

The region's 21 richest men "saw their wealth increase by nearly $10 billion since the start of the COVID-19 crisis," the report stated.

Oxfam said its figures were the result of a comparison between their net wealth as listed by Forbes on March 18 and on August 16.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-capture-beirut-before-vs-after-devastating-blast-318562">Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast</a>

It said the resulting amount represented twice the emergency funds provided to the region by the International Monetary Fund to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

It also amounts to double what is needed to repair the material damage done to property in Beirut by a huge, deadly August 4 blast at the port, according to accountancy firm PwC.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/explosion-decimates-beiruts-port-disrupting-the-struggling-countrys-lifeline-318312">Explosion decimates Beirut's port, disrupting the struggling country's lifeline</a>

"For too long profit has been prioritised at the expense of the public good and safety," said Nabil Abdo, Oxfam's senior policy advisor in the Middle East and North Africa.

"The result of this could not be starker in the aftermath of the catastrophic explosion in Beirut, which has further exposed the fragility of the economy and will only exacerbate existing inequalities," he said.

The Beirut port explosion, one of the largest such blasts in recent history, killed more than 180 people, injured more than 6,000 and destroyed property within a radius of several miles.

The blast, the exact causes of which remained to be determined, has been widely blamed on the greed and incompetence of Lebanon's ruling class.

The Middle East's 21 billionaires have amassed $63 million every day since March, a combined bounty double the amount needed to repair the damage caused by the Beirut port blast, Oxfam said Thursday.

The Middle East's 21 billionaires have amassed $63 million every day since March, a combined bounty double the amount needed to repair the damage caused by the Beirut port blast, Oxfam said Thursday. The region's 21 richest men "saw their wealth increase by nearly $10 billion since the start of the COVID-19 crisis," the report stated. Oxfam said its figures were the result of a comparison between their net wealth as listed by Forbes on March 18 and on August 16. Also see: Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast It said the resulting amount represented twice the emergency funds provided to the region by the International Monetary Fund to combat the coronavirus pandemic. It also amounts to double what is needed to repair the material damage done to property in Beirut by a huge, deadly August 4 blast at the port, according to accountancy firm PwC. Also see: Explosion decimates Beirut's port, disrupting the struggling country's lifeline "For too long profit has been prioritised at the expense of the public good and safety," said Nabil Abdo, Oxfam's senior policy advisor in the Middle East and North Africa. "The result of this could not be starker in the aftermath of the catastrophic explosion in Beirut, which has further exposed the fragility of the economy and will only exacerbate existing inequalities," he said. The Beirut port explosion, one of the largest such blasts in recent history, killed more than 180 people, injured more than 6,000 and destroyed property within a radius of several miles. The blast, the exact causes of which remained to be determined, has been widely blamed on the greed and incompetence of Lebanon's ruling class.

Middle East billionaires earned double cost of Beirut repairs in weeks: Report

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday said that Lebanon is at "risk of disappearing". He urged emergency reforms under a new government.

"The risk today is of Lebanon disappearing so these measures have to be taken," he told RTL radio ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's return visit to Beirut next week to push reform and reconstruction after the devastating port blast.

"They are caught up between themselves in a consensus of inactivity," Le Drian said. "That can't go on and we are saying that very clearly."

"The President of the Republic said it when he went to Lebanon on August 6. He will say it again when he'll be in Beirut on Tuesday."

Macron will begin his reconstruction efforts on Monday but will also look at the political scenario in Lebanon after the whole government resigned.&nbsp;

Macron visited Beirut two days after the massive explosion at the port killed 181 people and wounded thousands.

On August 9, he chaired a video conference that saw world leaders pledge more than 250 million euros ($295 million) for Lebanon.

"The country is on the edge of the precipice," Le Drian added, calling for a new government to be set up quickly. "There's a humanitarian and health emergency," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday said that Lebanon is at "risk of disappearing". He urged emergency reforms under a new government. "The risk today is of Lebanon disappearing so these measures have to be taken," he told RTL radio ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's return visit to Beirut next week to push reform and reconstruction after the devastating port blast.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday said that Lebanon is at "risk of disappearing". He urged emergency reforms under a new government. "The risk today is of Lebanon disappearing so these measures have to be taken," he told RTL radio ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's return visit to Beirut next week to push reform and reconstruction after the devastating port blast. "They are caught up between themselves in a consensus of inactivity," Le Drian said. "That can't go on and we are saying that very clearly." "The President of the Republic said it when he went to Lebanon on August 6. He will say it again when he'll be in Beirut on Tuesday." Macron will begin his reconstruction efforts on Monday but will also look at the political scenario in Lebanon after the whole government resigned. Macron visited Beirut two days after the massive explosion at the port killed 181 people and wounded thousands. On August 9, he chaired a video conference that saw world leaders pledge more than 250 million euros ($295 million) for Lebanon. "The country is on the edge of the precipice," Le Drian added, calling for a new government to be set up quickly. "There's a humanitarian and health emergency," he said.

Lebanon at 'risk of disappearing', French Foreign Minister warns

At least 150 people have become permanently disabled as a result of the devastating August 4 port explosion.

A mental health emergency in Lebanon

Hours after a catastrophic blast ripped through Beirut on Aug. 4, hundreds of volunteers fanned out across devastated neighborhoods, caring for the wounded, assessing damaged buildings and clearing rubble

Beirut survivors: The scars and the struggle | Lebanon | Beirut Ground report

Two weeks ago, the cataclysmic explosion, which killed nearly 180 people and injured 6,000, ripped Beirut apart.

300,000 people rendered homeless | Saving Beirut's heritage after blast | WION News

The massive blast that hit Lebanon's capital on August 4 damaged much of the city and sparked violent protests against the authorities.

Lebanon: Blast prompts exodus from Beirut | WION Ground Report | World News

The deadly Beirut explosion that killed 177 people, wounded thousands more and devastated swaths of the city, left many maimed, mostly because of flying shards of glass and debris.

At least 400 people suffered ocular injuries, more than 50 required surgery, and at least 15 have been permanently blinded in one eye, according to data compiled by major hospitals in and around Beirut.

Sama,&nbsp;five-year-old girl from the northern Syrian city of Manbij, suffered an eye injury from the blast after&nbsp;sent shards of glass flying into her eyes.

Her father,&nbsp;Makhoul Al-Hamad, said, ''Sama was in the living room, a few meters away from the window. When the blast happened, her mother immediately engulfed her, thinking that she protected her. After more than three minutes, we realised that Sama's eye was injured and that she is bleeding."

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/60-heritage-sites-risk-collapse-after-beirut-blast-320546">60 heritage sites risk collapse after Beirut blast</a>

Maroun Dagher, a websolutions developer,&nbsp;was also blinded in one eye during the Beirut explosion.&nbsp;

He said he dreams that he&nbsp;could see&nbsp;everything but when he&nbsp;wakes up he realises it is just a dream.

"I had plans to learn new things. I had plans to learn skydiving, or to dive. You know, just plans that I wanted to do during my life. I don't know about my career because I am a developer, so I don't know how much I can still use the same skills," he said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-capture-beirut-before-vs-after-devastating-blast-318562">Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast</a>

Lebanon's health minister warned Monday that hospitals are reaching maximum capacity to treat coronavirus patients after the deadly Beirut blast overwhelmed clinics and as COVID-19 cases have mounted.

"Public and private hospitals in the capital in particular have a very limited capacity, whether in terms of beds in intensive care units or respirators," the minister, Hamad Hassan, told a press conference.

"We are on the brink, we don't have the luxury to take our time," he warned, calling for authorities to take the "hard decision" to impose a new two-week lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Lebanon has seen a spike in coronavirus-related cases and deaths in recent weeks, and they have hit a new record in the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through large parts of Beirut on August 4.

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The deadly Beirut explosion that killed 177 people, wounded thousands more and devastated swaths of the city, left many maimed, mostly because of flying shards of glass and debris.

The deadly Beirut explosion that killed 177 people, wounded thousands more and devastated swaths of the city, left many maimed, mostly because of flying shards of glass and debris. At least 400 people suffered ocular injuries, more than 50 required surgery, and at least 15 have been permanently blinded in one eye, according to data compiled by major hospitals in and around Beirut. Sama, five-year-old girl from the northern Syrian city of Manbij, suffered an eye injury from the blast after sent shards of glass flying into her eyes. Her father, Makhoul Al-Hamad, said, ''Sama was in the living room, a few meters away from the window. When the blast happened, her mother immediately engulfed her, thinking that she protected her. After more than three minutes, we realised that Sama's eye was injured and that she is bleeding." Also see: 60 heritage sites risk collapse after Beirut blast Maroun Dagher, a websolutions developer, was also blinded in one eye during the Beirut explosion. He said he dreams that he could see everything but when he wakes up he realises it is just a dream. "I had plans to learn new things. I had plans to learn skydiving, or to dive. You know, just plans that I wanted to do during my life. I don't know about my career because I am a developer, so I don't know how much I can still use the same skills," he said. Also see: Satellite images capture Beirut before vs after devastating blast Lebanon's health minister warned Monday that hospitals are reaching maximum capacity to treat coronavirus patients after the deadly Beirut blast overwhelmed clinics and as COVID-19 cases have mounted. "Public and private hospitals in the capital in particular have a very limited capacity, whether in terms of beds in intensive care units or respirators," the minister, Hamad Hassan, told a press conference. "We are on the brink, we don't have the luxury to take our time," he warned, calling for authorities to take the "hard decision" to impose a new two-week lockdown to stem the spread of the virus. Lebanon has seen a spike in coronavirus-related cases and deaths in recent weeks, and they have hit a new record in the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through large parts of Beirut on August 4.

Hard on the eyes: Beirut blast leaves many half-blinded

Your Story: Beirut blast | Stories of loss & suffering | World News

Residents of Beirut held Sunday mass at the site of a devastating blast nearly two weeks ago. The residents mourned the lives lost in the blast. Watch report.

Mass held at site of Beirut blast: Residents mourn lives lost

A massive explosion in Beirut has claimed several lives and caused massive destruction. Among those affected lies a significant number of Lebanon's vulnerable populations which are the Syrian refugees. Watch report,

A tale of survival from the deadly Beirut blast: Beirut explosion aftermath

A massive explosion in Beirut has claimed several lives and caused massive destruction. Among those affected lies a significant number of Lebanon's vulnerable populations which are the Syrian refugees. Watch report.

After a tragic explosion, Lebanon has been facing protests, economic crisis, and now a surge in coronavirus cases.

Due to this sudden surge, Lebanon will be going into a lockdown for the next two weeks, the Lebanon Health Minister announced on Monday.

"We declare today a state of general alert and we need a brave decision to close (the country) for two weeks," he said on a local radio programme.

The decision was taken after the country reported&nbsp;439 new infections and six more deaths within 24 hours on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mass-held-at-site-of-beirut-blast-residents-mourn-lives-lost-321080">Also watch: Mass held at site of Beirut blast: Residents mourn lives lost</a>

"We are all facing a real challenge and the numbers that were recorded in the last period are shocking," Hassan said. "The matter requires decisive measures."&nbsp;

Some people have balmed the rise in coronavuirus cases to the&nbsp;anti-government protests that have been taking place on the streets of Lebanon on a daily basis since the Beirut explosion took place on August 04.

The blast affected more than 6,000 people which resulted in hospitals being overcrowded. Now, with an increase in the number of coronavirus cases, the Lebanon hospital authorities&nbsp;are feeling overwhelmed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-french-nationals-confirmed-dead-in-beirut-blast-as-france-steps-up-probe-320597">Also read: Two French nationals confirmed dead in Beirut blast as France steps up probe</a>

Hassan asked people to stay indoors until there's an emergency. He urged people to exercise caution and take the general alert seriously."The real danger is the spread within society," he said. "Everyone must be on high alert and take the strictest prevention measures."

However, the country's airport will remain functional, as of now, as the transmission is majorly on a domestic level, and there is no proof that the infection has been brought in the country by a traveller.

Still, after the blast uprooted nearly a quarter of a million people, the risk of the virus spreading has grown, the WHO has said. The country's tally now stands at 8,881 cases and 103 deaths since February, according to health ministry data.

After a tragic explosion, Lebanon has been facing protests, economic crisis, and now a surge in coronavirus cases. Due to this sudden surge, Lebanon will be going into a lockdown for the next two weeks, the Lebanon Health Minister announced on Monday.

After a tragic explosion, Lebanon has been facing protests, economic crisis, and now a surge in coronavirus cases. Due to this sudden surge, Lebanon will be going into a lockdown for the next two weeks, the Lebanon Health Minister announced on Monday. "We declare today a state of general alert and we need a brave decision to close (the country) for two weeks," he said on a local radio programme. The decision was taken after the country reported 439 new infections and six more deaths within 24 hours on Sunday. Also watch: Mass held at site of Beirut blast: Residents mourn lives lost "We are all facing a real challenge and the numbers that were recorded in the last period are shocking," Hassan said. "The matter requires decisive measures." Some people have balmed the rise in coronavuirus cases to the anti-government protests that have been taking place on the streets of Lebanon on a daily basis since the Beirut explosion took place on August 04. The blast affected more than 6,000 people which resulted in hospitals being overcrowded. Now, with an increase in the number of coronavirus cases, the Lebanon hospital authorities are feeling overwhelmed. Also read: Two French nationals confirmed dead in Beirut blast as France steps up probe Hassan asked people to stay indoors until there's an emergency. He urged people to exercise caution and take the general alert seriously."The real danger is the spread within society," he said. "Everyone must be on high alert and take the strictest prevention measures." However, the country's airport will remain functional, as of now, as the transmission is majorly on a domestic level, and there is no proof that the infection has been brought in the country by a traveller. Still, after the blast uprooted nearly a quarter of a million people, the risk of the virus spreading has grown, the WHO has said. The country's tally now stands at 8,881 cases and 103 deaths since February, according to health ministry data.

Lebanon to go into two-week lockdown after coronavirus cases surge

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms.

The August 4 blast, which the authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years, killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless.

“We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” said David Hale, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/seismic-data-suggests-string-of-blasts-preceded-beirut-explosion-320805">Also watch:&nbsp;Seismic data suggests string of blasts preceded Beirut explosion</a>

He added that FBI agents would be arriving this weekend, at the invitation of Lebanon, to help investigate what led to the explosion.

The blast has fuelled anger at Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency, demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lebanon-beirut-to-get-50000-tonnes-of-food-un-food-aid-world-news-320260">Also watch:&nbsp;Lebanon: Beirut to get 50,000 tonnes of food | U.N food aid</a>

“When we see Lebanese leaders committed to real change, change in word and deed, America and its international partners will respond to systemic reforms with sustained financial support,” Hale said.&nbsp;

“The popular demand for real change could not be clearer.”

President Michel Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the cause of the blast was negligence, an accident or “external interference”.

“They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that,” said painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast.

The heavily armed, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States, said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast.

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms.

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms. The August 4 blast, which the authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years, killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless. “We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” said David Hale, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port. Also watch: Seismic data suggests string of blasts preceded Beirut explosion He added that FBI agents would be arriving this weekend, at the invitation of Lebanon, to help investigate what led to the explosion. The blast has fuelled anger at Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency, demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money. Also watch: Lebanon: Beirut to get 50,000 tonnes of food | U.N food aid “When we see Lebanese leaders committed to real change, change in word and deed, America and its international partners will respond to systemic reforms with sustained financial support,” Hale said. “The popular demand for real change could not be clearer.” President Michel Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the cause of the blast was negligence, an accident or “external interference”. “They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that,” said painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast. The heavily armed, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States, said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast.

US calls for credible probe into 'overwhelming' Beirut blast

Seismological data suggests that six blasts preceded the Beirut port explosion, the last of them a combustion of fireworks that apparently set off a warehouse full of ammonium nitrate, an Israeli analyst said on Thursday.

Seismic data suggests string of blasts preceded Beirut explosion

Take a look at the 29 seconds of the shock for Beirut residents at a shopping complex. CCTV captures the raw moments just before and ahead of the explosion which hit Beirut at 6.09 PM local time.

WION Exclusive: Visuals capturing Beirut explosion wreaking havoc on shopping complex

This is what it looks like a week after the explosion that devasted Beirut as repair work underway at a shopping complex.

WION Exclusive: Repair work continues at Beirut explosion-hit shopping complex

France has stepped up its probe into the massive Beirut port blast last week by handing it to investigating magistrates, prosecution sources said Friday, as it was confirmed two French citizens were among the 171 people killed.

The investigation has now been entrusted to two magistrates who can ultimately decide whether to press charges over the August 4 blast, a source in the office of the Paris prosecutor told AFP.

Another source, who asked not to be named, said two French citizens were now confirmed to have been killed in the explosion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-blasts-protesters-in-beirut-want-france-to-intervene-in-lebanon-318922">After blasts, protesters in Beirut want France to intervene in Lebanon</a>

The death of one French victim,&nbsp;prominent Lebanon-based architect Jean-Marc Bonfils, had already been confirmed but the second victim has yet to be publicly identified.

French prosecutors on August 5 opened a probe into "involuntary injury" using their jurisdiction to investigate acts committed abroad when French people are among the victims.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/60-heritage-sites-risk-collapse-after-beirut-blast-320546" hreflang="en">60 heritage sites risk collapse after Beirut blast</a>

Investigators and police from France have already been at the scene in Beirut for several days to reconstruct the chain of events that led to the explosion.

The FBI will also join Lebanese investigators at the invitation of the Lebanese government, the US State Department said Thursday.

The explosion has been blamed on a vast stock of ammonium nitrate left for years in a warehouse at the port despite repeated warnings.

Lebanon's government under Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned this week following days of demonstrations demanding accountability over the disaster.

Lebanese authorities have pledged a swift investigation and judicial officials said Wednesday the prosecution would question ministers and former ministers.

President Michel Aoun has rejected calls from world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, and many Lebanese for an independent international investigation as a "waste of time." &nbsp;

France has stepped up its probe into the massive Beirut port blast last week by handing it to investigating magistrates, prosecution sources said Friday, as it was confirmed two French citizens were among the 171 people killed.

France has stepped up its probe into the massive Beirut port blast last week by handing it to investigating magistrates, prosecution sources said Friday, as it was confirmed two French citizens were among the 171 people killed. The investigation has now been entrusted to two magistrates who can ultimately decide whether to press charges over the August 4 blast, a source in the office of the Paris prosecutor told AFP. Another source, who asked not to be named, said two French citizens were now confirmed to have been killed in the explosion. Also read: After blasts, protesters in Beirut want France to intervene in Lebanon The death of one French victim, prominent Lebanon-based architect Jean-Marc Bonfils, had already been confirmed but the second victim has yet to be publicly identified. French prosecutors on August 5 opened a probe into "involuntary injury" using their jurisdiction to investigate acts committed abroad when French people are among the victims. Also see: 60 heritage sites risk collapse after Beirut blast Investigators and police from France have already been at the scene in Beirut for several days to reconstruct the chain of events that led to the explosion. The FBI will also join Lebanese investigators at the invitation of the Lebanese government, the US State Department said Thursday. The explosion has been blamed on a vast stock of ammonium nitrate left for years in a warehouse at the port despite repeated warnings. Lebanon's government under Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned this week following days of demonstrations demanding accountability over the disaster. Lebanese authorities have pledged a swift investigation and judicial officials said Wednesday the prosecution would question ministers and former ministers. President Michel Aoun has rejected calls from world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, and many Lebanese for an independent international investigation as a "waste of time."

Two French nationals confirmed dead in Beirut blast as France steps up probe

Sursock Palace, 19th century landmark, destroyed in Beirut blasts

Stepping into the delivery room where his wife Emmanuelle was about to give birth, Edmond Khnaisser meant to capture their son's first moments on camera. Instead, he recorded the instant the biggest blast in Lebanon's history sent whole windows crashing onto his 28 year-old wife's hospital bed.

The story behind "miracle" baby George: a baby as old as Beirut's blast 

Lebanon has been witnessing a steady spike in the COVID-19 infections in the aftermath of last week's explosion in Beirut. The country recorded its highest single-day caseload by 309 new cases with 7 fatalities.

Beirut blast scales back social distancing: Lebanon's hospitals at risk of being overrun

The massive blast at Beirut port on August 4 caused more than $15 billion in damages, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Wednesday.

Also read- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beirut-death-toll-rises-to-171-as-lebanon-marks-one-week-since-deadly-blast-319819">Beirut: Death toll rises to 171 as Lebanon marks one week since deadly blast</a>

"Preliminary estimates of the losses suffered following the port explosion top 15 billion," he was quoted as telling Spain's King Felipe in a phone call, in a message on the presidency's Twitter account.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron warned Iran against interference in Lebanon.&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/beirut-blast-places-where-ammonium-nitrate-is-being-stored-around-the-world-319744" hreflang="en">Beirut blast: Places where ammonium nitrate is being stored around the world</a>

During a telephone call to President Hassan Rouhani, the French president said "necessity for all the powers concerned... to avoid any outside interference and to support the putting in place of a government which can manage the emergency."&nbsp;

The death toll from the explosion has reached&nbsp;171, while&nbsp;more than 6,000 have been wounded and 300,000 people have been temporarily displaced&nbsp;from&nbsp;their homes.&nbsp;

It was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been sitting at Beirut port for more than six years.

The explosion has fuelled popular outrage against the country's top political leaders and security agencies, and led to the resignation of the government on Monday.

An international donor conference on Sunday&nbsp;raised pledges worth nearly $298 million for immediate humanitarian relief, but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used.

The massive blast at Beirut port on August 4 caused more than $15 billion in damages, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Wednesday. Also read- Beirut: Death toll rises to 171 as Lebanon marks one week since deadly blast "Preliminary estimates of the losses suffered following the port explosion top 15 billion," he was quoted as telling Spain's King Felipe in a phone call, in a message on the presidency's Twitter account.

The massive blast at Beirut port on August 4 caused more than $15 billion in damages, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Wednesday. Also read- Beirut: Death toll rises to 171 as Lebanon marks one week since deadly blast "Preliminary estimates of the losses suffered following the port explosion top 15 billion," he was quoted as telling Spain's King Felipe in a phone call, in a message on the presidency's Twitter account. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Iran against interference in Lebanon. Also see: Beirut blast: Places where ammonium nitrate is being stored around the world During a telephone call to President Hassan Rouhani, the French president said "necessity for all the powers concerned... to avoid any outside interference and to support the putting in place of a government which can manage the emergency." The death toll from the explosion has reached 171, while more than 6,000 have been wounded and 300,000 people have been temporarily displaced from their homes. It was caused by the ignition of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been sitting at Beirut port for more than six years. The explosion has fuelled popular outrage against the country's top political leaders and security agencies, and led to the resignation of the government on Monday. An international donor conference on Sunday raised pledges worth nearly $298 million for immediate humanitarian relief, but foreign countries are demanding transparency over how the aid is used.

Macron warns Iran over interference as Lebanon President claims blast damage cost $15 billion

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