<p class="bodytext">Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut's port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Diab's speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Lebanese Red Cross official George Kettaneh said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded, and said the toll could rise further.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut's port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Diab's speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning. Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles, and building facades were blown out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Lebanese Red Cross official George Kettaneh said at least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded, and said the toll could rise further.</p>