The President of Beirut Traders Association, Nicolas Shammas, issued the following:

In sympathy with the memorandum issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which decreed the declaration of “national mourning” and the suspension of administrations, public institutions and municipalities on the tragic anniversary of the explosion of Beirut port, and an affirmation of our deep sympathy with the families of the victims and every citizen who suffered physical, psychological or material damage,

And in order to consolidate our full and total solidarity with every member of the commercial community who has incurred heavy damages as a result of this painful explosion, from the destruction of commercial infrastructure (institutions, shops, warehouses, transportation, and goods located inside and outside the port), and huge operational losses,

For all this, Beirut Traders Association calls on all merchants, in Beirut and all Lebanese regions, to fully abide by the general closure on next August 4, to express the strongest condemnation in the face of this historical catastrophe, hoping that the official investigation would reveal the circumstances of the explosion, as soon as possible, and that all those who had a hand in this crime receive appropriate punishment.