Bayside Council's condolences for victims of the Beirut explosion

The Bayside local government area is home to one of the largest Lebanese communities in Australia.

In a resolution submitted at last Wednesday's meeting of Bayside Council, mayor Joe Awada and Councillor Bill Saravinovski called on the council to make a $5,000 donation to the Red Cross for the Beirut appeal

The Council extended their condolences to the victims of the explosion in Beirut and decided to set up a condolence page for residents to express their thoughts and support to the people of Beirut, Lebanon.

The condolence page will be sent to the Lebanese Ambassador to pass on to the Mayor of Beirut.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families who lost loved ones in the massive explosion in Beirut's port on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Cr Awada said.

"It is currently estimated that more than 200 people were killed in the explosion including, tragically a two-year- old Australian girl.

"We also pray for the more than 6,000 who were injured in the explosion and wish them a speedy recovery.

"The frontline workers in Beirut including doctors and nurses are already suffering under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and are working for the community.

"The sympathy being extended throughout Australia provides comfort to those of us who mourn.

"We pray for the recovery of Beirut and those who continue to suffer," he said.

Cr Saravinovski said the tragedy had hit Lebanon hard.

"I suggest that Bayside Council donates a sum of $5,000 to the Lebanese Red Cross and that we set up a condolence book, either online or as a book, which our residents can express their love and support for the people of Beirut and Lebanon.

"At the end of August that book should be delivered to the Ambassador in Canberra to be passed on to the Mayor of Beirut.

"It has hit the Lebanese hard. It is going to be extremely hard to recover and I pray that the people of Lebanon rise adove this and became the great nation that it was."