RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the government, on the orders of King Salman, will urgently send humanitarian aid to Lebanon to help the authorities there deal with the aftermath of the massive explosion that ripped through downtown Beirut on Tuesday.

The assistance will be provided through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

At least 135 people were killed by the blast, which is believed to have been triggered by a fire at a warehouse where 2,750 tonnes of confiscated, highly explosive ammonium nitrate was being stored. More than 5,000 were injured and dozens are missing.