Dubai welcomes Lebanese residents with roses after deadly Beirut explosions

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

In a heartwarming gesture, Dubai welcomed back Lebanese residents with white roses at Dubai International Airport in a act of support for the Lebanese people after a deadly explosion rocked Beirut last week.

A Dubai Customs official hands over roses to a Lebanese visitor. 

At least 158 people died and over 5,000 were injured in Tuesday's colossal explosion of a huge pile of ammonium nitrate that had languished for years in a port warehouse.

Dubai International said in Twitter, “The Dubai Customs team received the Lebanese visitors with flowers in Dubai International Airport, in solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people.”

A woman breaks down upon arrival at Dubai Airports.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “Dubai Customs’ initiative to give flowers to passengers arriving from Beirut on Saturday is a glowing example of the care, concern and spirit of kindness that is at the heart of the aviation community here. I’m sure it has provided some measure of comfort for the Lebanese passengers during these very difficult times.”

Social media users praised the initiative.

Ali Ghazvini said, “The healing power of kindness goes beyond the borderlines. A very touching post and pictures ??”

A boy receives roses from Dubai Customs team. 

Farah El Masri said, “Thank you! Thank you for opening your doors to us and for the support…”

On the other hand, World powers have a duty to support the Lebanese people after a massive blast devastated their capital as the country's future is at stake, French President Emmanuel Macron told an emergency donors conference on Sunday.

Lebanon's debt-laden economy was already mired in crisis and reeling from the coronavirus pandemic before the port explosion. But foreign governments are wary about writing blank cheques to a government perceived by its own people to be deeply corrupt.