A third Egyptian plane carrying aid to Lebanon arrived in Beiruton Monday as part of an airlift aid operation launched by Egypt following the massive explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital last week, Egypt’s army said in a statement.

The mega blast, which gutted entire neighbourhoods and damaged buildings across the capital, killed 200 people, according to the city’s governor. More than 6,000 others were injured and as many as 300,000 were left homeless.

The Egyptian military said the aid shipment includes “large quantities of medical supplies and foodstuff.

The Egyptian embassy in Lebanon said the plane was carrying 14 tons of medical aid and flour.

The flour is intended to support bakeries and keep bread production rates steady after Lebanon’s strategic stockpile of grain in the main grain silo was destroyed in the explosion, the embassy added.

Colonel Elias Gaber of the Lebanese army, who received the cargo, thanked Egypt for its “swift and valued assistance” to Lebanon and for standing by the Lebanese people in the crisis.

Last week, Egypt launched a direct airlift of medical, food and other supplies to Lebanon under the orders of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

The Egyptian cabinet said on Sunday that authorities are preparing more large shipments, including 16 tons of medical supplies and equipment, 140 tons of foodstuffs, as well as clothes.

Earlier this week, Cairo delivered to Beirut 14 tons of aid, including food and flour. The first planeload of medical supplies sent by Egypt arrived on Thursday.

An Egyptian field hospital in Beirut is also providing aid to victims of the blast.

The devastating blast on Tuesday was the biggest in Beirut’s history. Lebanese officials said the explosion was caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port for six years after being confiscated from a ship.

Countries around the world have rallied to offer support to Lebanon, providing aid packages, rescue and medical teams and humanitarian aid. These include Britain, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/376349.aspx