France and UN-led International Video Conference... "Let's Help Beirut"

Macron, Trump and Other World Leaders Participate... International Video Conference at Noon on the 9th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Leaders from various countries are coming together through an international video conference to help Lebanon, where a massive explosion disaster occurred in the capital city of Beirut.

According to major foreign media reports on the 8th (local time), France and the United Nations announced that they will jointly hold a video conference at noon on the 9th (Greenwich Mean Time, GMT) to discuss support for Lebanon, the French presidential office, the ?lys?e Palace, said.

U.S. President Donald Trump and other heads of state from various countries are expected to participate in this video conference.

Earlier, President Trump tweeted on the 7th, "On Sunday (the 9th), I will have a conference call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanon, and other country leaders," adding, "Everyone wants to help."

On the afternoon of the 4th, around 6 p.m., a massive accident occurred at the Beirut port where 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored for a long time, exploded.

As a result, there have been 214 confirmed dead and missing persons, and more than 5,000 injured to date.

President Macron was the first among major world leaders to visit Lebanon in person on the 6th, visiting the explosion site at Beirut port and meeting with Lebanese leaders including President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Hassan Diab, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanon was formerly a French colony and still maintains close political and economic ties.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly discussed necessary support measures with President Aoun of Lebanon during a phone call on the same day.

The British Prime Minister's Office stated in a press release, "President Aoun expressed gratitude for the support provided by the UK so far, including ?5 million (approximately 7.7 billion KRW) in funds and the dispatch of the Royal Navy's HMS Enterprise."

The statement explained, "As Lebanon faces a financial crisis, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the impact of this explosion, the two leaders agreed to cooperate with international partners for Lebanon's long-term recovery."