PDT MACRON & WORLD LEADERS STAND BY LEBANON OFFERING SYMPATHY AND ASSISTANCE

USPA NEWS - French President Macron said "rescue and aid" were on the way to Lebanon following a massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday. He added "France stands by Lebanon´s sides. Always. French rescue and aid is on its way" . According to Elysee Palace, the French Head of State. Macron  talked on the phone with his Lebanese counterpart, Michel Aoun, following the massive blast. Emmanuel Macron tweeted "I express my fraternal solidarity with Lebanese people after the explosion that caused so many casualties and so much damage tonight in Beirut," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her government is “devastated by the reports and images" coming out of Lebanon, according to her spokesperson Ulrike Demmer. “Our thoughts are with those who have lost love ones. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery. We will offer Lebanon our help," Merkel said, according to a tweet from Demmer. World leaders have offered support to Lebanon following a massive explosion that killed at least 73 people and wounded more than 3,700 in the capital, Beirut. Circumstances and causes f the massive blast is stil unclear a the police investigation just started.

The explosion released shockwaves through the city, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. Hours after the blast, ambulances continued to carry away the wounded as army helicopters helped battle fires raging at the port. Officials expect the death toll to rise.  Here's how some world leaders have reacted: HH EMIR SHEIKH TAMIN BIN HAMAD AL THANI OF CALLED LEBANESE PDT AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called President Michel Aoun to offer condolences, according to the state-run Qatar News Agency. The Gulf country said it would send field hospitals to support Lebanon's medical response.  HH the Amir held via telephone a conversation with Lebanon's President, during which His Highness expressed his condolences to the President and the brotherly Lebanese people on the victims of the explosion in Beirut port, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. (Source: Qatar News Agency ) Sheikh Tamim wished "a speedy recovery for the injured", QNA reported, adding that he "expressed Qatar's solidarity with brotherly Lebanon and its willingness to provide all kinds of assistance".

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Tehran was ready to assist in any way and urged Lebanon to "stay strong".Our thoughts and prayers are with the great and resilient people of Lebanon. As always, Iran is fully prepared to render assistance in any way necessary. « Stay strong, Lebanon.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his readiness to help Lebanon in any possible way. "The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected," Johnson wrote on Twitter.  The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking. All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident. The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can, including to those British nationals affected.

Israel said it had offered humanitarian aid to Lebanon via foreign channels, as the neighbours have no diplomatic relations. "Under the direction of Minister of Defence Benny Gantz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel approached Lebanon through international defence and diplomatic channels to offer the Lebanese government medical humanitarian aid," Gantz wrote on Twitter. The Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio took to social media to wish "a speedy recovery" to those wounded in the blast. "Italy is close to Lebanese friends in this tragic moment. Our thoughts go to the families of the victims, to whom we express our deep condolences, and to the injured people, to whom we wish a speedy recovery," Di Maio said.