Beirut pauses to remember those killed in massive explosion

Beirut has marked a week since the catastrophic explosion that killed at least171 people, injured thousands and plunged Lebanon into a deeper politicalcrisis.

Thousands of people marched near the capital city’s devastated port,remembering those who died in the worst single blast to hit Lebanon.

Theyobserved a minute of silence at 6.08pm local time, the moment on August 4 thatthousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in the city’s port where ithad been stored for more than six years, apparently with the knowledge of toppolitical and security officials.