Beirut blast 'chance to rebuild' Lebanese unity - Italy

The massive explosion at Beirut's port last week that reportedly killed over 200 people, injured 5,000 and left hundreds of thousands homeless should be a chance to "rebuild unity" in Lebanon, Italy's deputy foreign minister Emanuela Del Re tweeted on Tuesday.

"This anguishing event must be turned into a historical opportunity to rebuild unity within the country! Italy stands with the people of Lebanon," read the tweet.

A fire is believed to have caused the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored for six years without safety measures at Beirut's port.