US president conveys condolences over devastating floods in Libya

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – US President Joe Biden on Tuesday offered his condolences to Libya over catastrophic floods caused by powerful storm, which claimed thousands of lives.

“(First lady) Jill and I send our deepest condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones in the devastating floods in Libya,” Biden said in a statement.

“We join the Libyan people in grieving the loss of too many lives cut short, and send our hope to all those missing loved ones,” he added.

The US is providing emergency financial aid to humanitarian groups and collaborating with Libyan authorities and the UN to offer extra assistance, the president said.

At least 6,000 people have been killed and thousands remain missing after floods caused by Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya, according to Libyan officials.

​​​​​​​According to officials, the amount of rainfall in the eastern regions of the country was the highest recorded in more than 40 years.​​​​​​​

Torrential rains from the powerful cyclone, which made a landfall in the country on Sunday, 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 flooding disaster zones, and announced three days of mourning on Monday.

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.