Lebanon is sending a high-level delegation to Damascus on Wednesday to see how to provide assistance following the devastating earthquake that hit several areas in northwestern Syria earlier this week.
The ministerial delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh.
Hamieh was tasked by the Lebanese Cabinet as the main point of contact between Lebanon and Syria over relief efforts.
Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar and officials from the Lebanese health ministry will also be part of the team.
The delegation, which includes ministers representing the Amal movement, Hezbollah, and the Free Patriotic Movement, was sent to express support for Syria.
Lebanon had earlier opened its ports and airports to humanitarian aid headed to Syria.
Former Lebanese President Michel Aoun made a phone call to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad offering him condolences for the earthquake victims and wishing a speedy recovery for those injured.
Aoun also wished Assad success in rescuing those missing under the rubble and expressed solidarity with the Syrian people in their ordeal.
Aoun called on the international community, especially the Arab countries, to override all political considerations and positions, and to rush to the aid of the Syrian people.
Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian expressed his “extreme pain and grief over the devastating earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria, which resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.”
He affirmed Dar Al-Fatwa's solidarity with the Syrian and Turkish families of victims.
For his part, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a series of meetings with ministers and politicians who expressed their solidarity with the Syrian people.
Caretaker Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad held a meeting to coordinate the health sector’s response to seismic disasters and crises.
