US disaster aid begins arriving in Lebanon

The first C-17 transport aircraft with 11 pallets of food, water and medical supplies arrived in Lebanon on Friday from the US Central Command HQ in Qatar. Two more aircraft are expected in the next 24 hours. US officials said the administration also plans to provide at least $15 million in disaster assistance. Washington is concerned to ensure that the supplies reach those in need and not the Iranian-backed Hizballah.

Three days after powerful explosions at Beirut port killed at least 130 people, wounded thousands and left 300,000 homeless, people are still trapped in the rubble of the devastated city. Officials estimate the damage as $10 billion to $15 billion.