Turkish VP tells Lebanese: 'We are a family'

Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu offered messages of solidarity to a Turkish neighborhood in Beirut on Saturday, in the wake of Tuesday's massive explosion in the Lebanese capital.

Residents showed their support by chanting pro-Turkey slogans.

"We have a request for all you you. Be united. Be together. Be strong," Oktay said in his address to residents. "We are a family."

Cavusoglu announced that by order of President Erdogan, Turkey would grant citizenship to Turkish descendents living in Lebanon as well as Turkmens, an ethnic group with close historical ties.

Earlier Saturday, Turkey announced it will offer Lebanon the use of one of its Mediterranean ports while Beirut's harbour, the site of the blast, is out of action.

Oktay said Ankara would 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.