Lebanese ministerial delegation meets with Assad

A Lebanese ministerial delegation led by caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss earthquake relief efforts.

The delegation had earlier met with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, expressing its "solidarity with the Syrian people in this plight" and noting that Lebanon "will offer its available capabilities to assist in the relief efforts," the National News Agency said.

The delegation had been formed Tuesday at the instructions of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

The death toll from Monday's massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose above 11,200 on Wednesday, as rescuers raced to save survivors trapped under debris in the winter cold. Officials and medics said 8,574 people died in Turkey and 2,662 in Syria. Nearly 50,000 people were also injured in Turkey and another 5,000 in Syria, officials and rescuers on both sides said.

The Syrian health ministry reported damage across the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus.

The Lebanese delegation comprises Bou Habib, Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar and Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan. It also includes Secretary General of the High Relief Council Maj. Gen. Mohamed Kheir and Director of the Medical Care Directorate at the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Joseph el-Helou.

The Lebanese Civil Defense, the Lebanese Red Cross and the Amal-affiliated Islamic Rissala Scout Association had earlier announced that they were sending rescue teams to Syria.

Minister Hamieh announced Tuesday that Beirut's airport and the ports of Beirut and Tripoli will be open to receive tax-exempt humanitarian aid destined for Syria.