Turkey offers help rebuild Beirut's port, treat wounded

Turkey announced on Saturday it will offer Lebanon the use of one of its Mediterranean ports while Beirut's harbour is out of action, and help treat the city's wounded following Tuesday's massive explosion.

"Until the port is raised again, our Mersin Port will be open to service to Lebanon," said Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay on his visit to Beirut.

Oktay also visited Beirut Port on Saturday, which was the epicentre of the blast, along with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The two could be seen consulting emergency workers and observing the damage.

Oktay has said Ankara would also help Lebanon rebuild Beirut's port and send ambulance planes to evacuate some of the wounded for treatment in Turkish hospitals.

He added that they had already sent a search and rescue team, field hospitals, medical teams and food donations to the Middle Eastern country.

Over the course of their visit, Oktay and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab.