German FM meets Lebanese President Aoun

Germany's top diplomat on Wednesday visited the devastated Lebanese capital and pledged to help with rebuilding efforts.

Heiko Maas called on President Michel Aoun during his visit which came after last week's massive explosion at the city's port that killed at least 171 people and wounded thousands.

After a touring the destroyed Beirut port, Maas told reporters that "the German government has made another 20 million euros available" to aid Lebanon.

"We want the money to arrive where it is needed and not to disappear in dark channels of which there are unfortunately way too many in Lebanon," he said.

The catastrophic Aug. 4 explosion tore through the Lebanese capital with such intensity that it created a tremor felt in neighbouring Cyprus.

Thousands of buildings in the heart of the Beirut were destroyed and many were left homeless.

The explosion was the result of thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored in the city's port for more than six years, apparently with the knowledge of top political and security officials.