Lebanese parliamentary delegation meet Syrian president Bashar al-Assad as part of a visit to support his country after the earthquake, Feb. 19, 2023. (Credit: SANA agency via Twitter @sanaajel)
BEIRUT — The support and assistance provided to Syria from Lebanon after the deadly earthquake of Feb. 6 “had a great impact in alleviating the consequences of this disaster,” Syrian Prime Minister Husein al-Arnous told Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in a statement Thursday.
“I affirm that this humanitarian stand expresses in all sincerity the genuineness of the brotherly Lebanese people,” Arnous said.
The massive earthquake last month killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria, flattening cities to rubble.
Lebanon sent dozens of rescue workers to Turkey and Syria, including personnel from the Civil Defense, Red Cross and army, to assist local rescue operations.
Beirut also agreed to open its airport and all Lebanese ports to receive international humanitarian aid destined for Syria.
Meanwhile, some critics have accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of trying to capitalize on "earthquake diplomacy" in an attempt to normalize international ties after a more than decade-long civil war in the country.
A Lebanese ministerial delegation and another composed of MPs also visited Syria after the quake to express solidarity.