WFP emergency operation under way in Beirut

The head of the United Nations' food agency said Monday that "it's critical" to get Beirut port operational again, as 85% of all the food brought into Lebanon comes through it.

David Beasley, who is in Beirut assessing the damage and recovery prospects following last week's devastating explosion, said that his agency is bringing in mobile cranes as well as mobile warehousing and forklifts to help in the operations.

"Here is nothing but pure devastation, this is a war zone, I mean it is like a nuclear bomb went off, it is just hard to believe," said the World Food Program chief.

Last week's catastrophic explosion killed at least 171 people, injured thousands and plunged Lebanon into a deeper political crisis.

It is believed to have been caused by a fire that ignited thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the city's port for more than six years, apparently with the knowledge of top political and security officials.

The explosion has fueled outrage and protests against top political leaders, and led to the resignation of the government on Monday.

The Cabinet is now in a caretaker capacity.