When the explosion occurred in Beirut on August 4, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Lebanese President Michel Aoun in which he expressed support for the Lebanese people and their president. Armenia carried out 3 flights with humanitarian aid to the disaster zone. On the 8, 9 and 11 August, essential items were delivered to Lebanon. 100 Armenians who did not have the opportunity to continue living in Beirut arrived in Armenia on airplanes sent to Lebanon.
The explosion killed 220 people 13 of whom were Armenians. Out of 5,000 wounded 300 are Armenians. At a government meeting on August 6 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all wounded on behalf of the Armenian government. The Prime Minister mentioned he was shocked by the deadly explosion in fraternal Lebanon. “We mourn the death of all the victims, we express our condolences to the families and friends of all the victims. We are next to fraternal Lebanon, ” Pashinyan posted.
The High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan was sent on a business trip from Armenia to Lebanon to get acquainted with the situation and problems of the Armenian community on the spot. During the visit the delegation met with the representatives of the Armenian community of Lebanon. Aram I presented to the Armenian delegation the state of the Armenian-populated regions of Beirut after the explosion.
NA Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan and Chairperson of the NA ESCDYS Commission Mkhitar Hayrapetyan met with the Armenian delegation after its return from Beirut. Chief Commissar for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, Executive Director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Haykak Arshamyan, Co-Chair of the Armenia-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship Group Hrachya Hakobyan shared their impressions after the visit.
Deputy of the “My Step” faction in the National Assembly Mkhitar Hayrapetyan stated from the rostrum of the parliament that Armenia should become a home for repatriated Armenians. The MP also noted that the Armenians living abroad should be a full-fledged part of Armenia, integrated citizens. “Our compatriots, who nevertheless decide to leave any country where they see no other opportunity to survive, live, create, the Republic of Armenia should become their second home,” Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said.
He also noted that Armenia is responsible for the Lebanese people and the Armenian community of Lebanon. He wished strength and resilience to the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Armenians, noting that Armenia supports Lebanon.