ALL registered Malaysians in Lebanon are reported safe, said Hishammuddin Hussein, following two huge explosions in Beirut yesterday.

The foreign minister said this has been confirmed by the Malaysian embassy in the Lebanese capital.

Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab said 2,750 tonnes of the agricultural fertiliser ammonium nitrate that had been stored for years in a portside warehouse blew up, sparking “a disaster in every sense of the word”.

At least 73 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured.

Hishammuddin said the embassy has advised Malaysians in Lebanon to remain indoors.

“Malaysia stands together in grief, and our thoughts and prayers accompany the strong people of Lebanon. We stand ready to support in any way we can,” he tweeted.

Malaysia is part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon conducting peacekeeping duties in the country’s south.

It is not yet confirmed whether there were Malaysian ships or vessels with Malaysian crew at the port at the time of the incident.

President Michel Aoun has reportedly declared three days of mourning.

Meanwhile, DAP, in a statement, urged Putrajaya to assist Lebanon in any way possible. – Bernama, August 5, 2020.