Lebanese President Michel Aoun thanked the UN, the world and Pope Francis for support after the devastating blast at Beirut port last month killed at least 190 and wounded thousands.
Mr Aoun said in his address to the General Assembly that the huge response from around the world, and Pope Francis' day of prayer, made the Lebanese people feel less alone.
“All of this assistance has had a huge positive impact on our country and our people," he said.
"Practically it provided urgent food and medical relief along with reconstruction materials, but morally this great solidarity made our people feel not alone but rather [that they] have in this world brothers and sisters in humanity who did not hesitate to support us.
Beirut blast in pictures
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A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP -
Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National -
The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP -
The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA -
A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP -
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP -
The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP -
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP -
People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP -
The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP -
The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP -
A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP -
A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg -
Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP -
Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters -
Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters -
People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP -
The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou -
Army personnel around entrance to port. -
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National -
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National -
The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National -
The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National -
Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo -
A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg -
Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA -
People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP -
An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters -
Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images -
A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images -
Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters -
Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo -
People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP -
Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP
“Beirut today, ladies and gentlemen, is trying to rise from its ruins. Indeed, with the solidarity of all Lebanese people and with your support it will rise again as it has done over and over again throughout history.
"The earthquake-like explosion left a deep scar on the Lebanese conscience. Indeed, the images of victims and the pain of the injured and the tears of those who lost loved ones will never be wiped away.”
Mr Aoun’s speech comes seven weeks after the huge explosion at Beirut port, in which 2,750 tonnes of improperly stored ammonium nitrate caught fire.
The blast killed more than 190 people and injured 6,500.
Mr Aoun said that 200,000 houses were damaged and 300,000 people were left with no shelter.
He said the repercussion would be a sharp rise in poverty but he pledged that the recovery plan would involve the highest transparency amid international concern that money given to help Lebanon might be lost to corruption and waste.
Lebanon is in the middle of “unprecedented crisis”, Mr Aoun said.
He said, as in previous years, that Lebanon could not be a final home for almost a million Syrian refugees sheltering there.
Mr Aoun said that any breach of the UN resolution that ended the 2006 war with Israel would "make the situation more complicated”.
The resolution brought about the longest period of calm on the southern border between Hezbollah and Israel in decades.
But Mr Aoun warned: “Lebanon must not be used by Israel to hit Syria.”
