Italian defence minister visits Beirut

Italy's defence minister on Monday began an official visit to Beirut, meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other officials.

Speaking at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lorenzo Guerini said Italy would continue to offer support to the Middle Eastern country in the aftermath of the deadly explosion that rocked Beirut three weeks ago.

"We will continue our efforts to help the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state, and will help the Lebanese government by providing necessary needs, as requested," said Guerini.

He added that Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte would visit Lebanon in the coming days, evidence of "the eagerness of Italy in the reconstruction process."

Guerini also met Lebanon's Caretaker Defence Minister Zeina Akar and Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun.

He visited the site of the Italian field hopsital at the Lebanese University's Hadath campus, as well as Italian navy ship San Giusto, anchored at Beirut's port.

The Lebanese capital was rocked by a massive explosion on Aug. 4 that claimed more than 170 lives and wounded more than 6,000 people.