UPDATE - EU offers help to flood-hit Libya

REVISES DECK, DEATH TOLL, ADDS SOLIDARITY MESSAGES FROM MORE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

By Nur Asena Erturk and Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA/GENEVA (AA) - The European Union offered assistance Tuesday to Libya, where catastrophic floods after Storm Daniel have killed at least 5,300 people.

"Harrowing images from Libya following deaths & destruction caused by floods, especially in the East of the country," European Council President Charles Michel wrote on X and expressed the EU's "most sincere condolences" to the Libyan people and the victims’ families.

The "EU stands ready to help those affected by this calamity," he added.

The leaders of France and Italy, Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, also expressed solidarity with Libyans, saying they mobilized resources to help people in the North African country.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his government was "carefully following the consequences of the floods in Libya," adding that Italy was in contact with the Libyan authorities.

No Italians had been affected so far, he added.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome offered immediate assistance to Libya as well as quake-hit Morocco.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also expressed solidarity with the Libyan people.

"The devastation we see in the images reminds us of the importance of fighting the climate crisis to save lives," he said.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on X that “Lithuania, together with international partners, is ready to help Libya in recovery efforts."

Another offer of help came from Poland, with the country’s Foreign Ministry saying that Warsaw is "deeply distressed" by the scale and tragic consequences of the floods.

"Poland stands ready to provide necessary humanitarian assistance," the ministry said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Latvia’s Foreign Ministry also expressed their sorrow and extended condolences to the people of Libya.

Torrential rains from the powerful cyclone swept several areas of eastern Libya on Sunday, most notably the cities of Benghazi, Al Bayda and Al-Marj, as well as Soussa and Derna.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the head of Libya’s Tripoli-based unity government, declared all areas exposed to the storm and floods disaster zones.

Authorities declared a state of emergency, which included suspending classes at all public and private educational institutions and closing shops and called for international support.