The Latest: German Embassy employee killed in Beirut blast
BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on the explosion in Beirut (all times local):
1 p.m.
Germany’s foreign minister says an employee of the German Embassy in Beirut was killed in the huge blast that devastated the Lebanese capital earlier this week.
Heiko Maas says in a statement that the woman died as a result of “the consequences of the explosion in her apartment.” He has offered his condolences to embassy staff.
The embassy building was damaged in the blast.
Tuesday's explosion appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at Beirut's port. It killed at least 135 people, injured more than 5,000 and caused widespread destruction.
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12:05 p.m.
Britain is sending a Royal Navy ship to Beirut to help the city recover from Tuesday's devastating port explosion.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says the survey vessel HMS Enterprise, currently in Cyprus, will assess damage and help Lebanese authorities prepare to rebuild the port.
Britain has pledged a 5 million pound ($6.6 million) humanitarian support package for Lebanon and says it will send search and rescue teams and expert medical support.
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11 a.m.
A French presidential official says French President Emmanuel Macron is arriving in Beirut following Tuesday's deadly port explosion and will be greeted by Lebanese President Michel Aoun. The official says Macron will go directly to the port and meet Lebanese and French teams in the disaster area.
The official spoke anonymously in accordance with the presidency’s practices.
Later in the day, Macron will head to the presidential palace for meetings with top officials. He will also meet with members of different political factions and civil society.
The French official says...