WFP director meets Lebanese President Aoun

The head of the World Food Programme (WFP) met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Monday and briefed him about WFP efforts to aid Lebanon following last week's gigantic, deadly blast in Beirut.

Aid has been flowing into Lebanon since the explosion which killed around 160 people, wounded 6,000 more and destroyed parts of the capital.

Losses from the blast are estimated to be between $10 billion to $15 billion, and nearly 300,000 people were left homeless in the immediate aftermath.

During the meeting, WFP executive director David Beasley said 17,500 metric tons of grain and 30,000 metric tons of wheat flour would be sent to Lebanon with 10 days.

Beasley added the WFP would also send equipment, supplies and generators worth 30 million US dollars, after an area of the devastated Beirut port was cleared to receive ships.