Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Customs Officials in Beirut Warned of Volatile Chemicals Since 2014; Huge Crater is All that Remains of Port Warehouse; Lebanon's Teetering Economy Further Threatened by Blast; Tel Aviv City Hall Lights Up as Lebanese Flag in Solidarity; Israel Offer Lebanon Humanitarian and Medical Aid; L.A. Mayor Says People Hosting Large Gatherings Could Have Water and Electricity Shut Off; Twitter and Facebook Take Action Against Trump; Germany Records 1,000 Cases in a Single Day. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired August 06, 2020 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. More on our top story now.

Now the blast in Beirut. Lebanese customs officials had warned for years that a warehouse full of volatile chemicals at Beirut's port could spell disaster but nothing was ever done about the thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate. Well, that warehouse is the suspected source of Tuesday's blast that killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others. The city's governor says more than 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes. This was the scene inside the hospital not far from the epicenter. State media report 90 percent of the capital's hotels are also damaged.

Well, a crater about the size of a football pitch is about all that's left of that ill-fated warehouse. The shock waves level almost everything in the immediate vicinity. Here's a closer look at just how devastating it was.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: An explosion so powerful in Lebanon's capitol it generated seismic waves equivalent to a magnitude 3.3 earthquake. But if you look at a map of Beirut and even that comparison, it can't prepare you for how far the damage spread. Damage from near epicenter of the blast was most devastating. In Beirut's industrial waterfront drone footage shows everything flattened within a few hundred meters.

From the immediate port area, shockwaves then raced into Beirut's neighborhoods and shopping districts. But the impact was strong enough to flip over cars. As its force rippled across the city, structures within 1 kilometer suffered heavy damage.

Here is Saint George hospital, a kilometer from the explosion. It had to shut down from all of the damage. Several nurses died. Zoom out three kilometers away, many buildings suffered damage and broken windows. At Saint Martin's Church three kilometers away, you can see the impact as the priest runs for cover and debris falls.

The explosion even caused damage 9 kilometers away at Baabda Presidential Palace and the city's international airport. And was so powerful it was heard and felt some 240 kilometers away on the island of Cypress.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well, Lebanon's economy minister says every business in Beirut, every business has been impacted by the massive explosion. While Beirut's governor estimates 3 to $5 billion worth of damage. It could be a lot higher than that.

To discuss this, I'm joined by Simon Neaime, who is a professor of economics at the American University of Beirut. It's a pleasure to have you on, sir. And our heartfelt condolences for the situation in Beirut. This explosion at the port reflects the same mismanagement that has left the economy in crisis. Let's be very clear, Lebanon cannot afford to pay for the damage itself. The country is broke, correct?

SIMON NEAIME, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT: Correct, the country is broke. The commercial banking system is bankrupt. The government is bankrupt. So we have been going through a series of crisis factors for the past year and now with the blast things are really catastrophic.

[04:35:00]

So the reconstruction in my opinion is not going to be possible given where the economic and financial situation is at today.

ANDERSON: So that suggests that Lebanon will have to lean very heavily on international support, right?

NEAIME: Perfectly right, I mean, it's our only hope. It's our only source of rescue. We cannot do it on our own given how bankrupt we are, given where the economy and the financial situation is at today. The private sector is bankrupt. The banks are bankrupt. The government is bankrupt. And I think that the IMF -- dealing with the IMF is our only way out given the current situation, crisis of a catastrophic situation.

ANDERSON: And that's been a conversation, a narrative which has been going on for months and months. And the fractionalized government has not been able to either agree on a path forward, nor to convince the international community that it is accountable, transparent and has a set of reforms which will satisfy the international committee. The French President today, sir, will be in Lebanon offering support. And in a statement from the Elysee Palace, he says he is meeting his Lebanese counterpart to discuss a path forward. What is that path forward?

NEAIME: Well, I think the government is totally paralyzed. They cannot deliver on a plan. They cannot agree on a reform plan so they can get help from the IMF. Six months in office nothing has happened yet. I think, you know, that the foreign minister, French Foreign Minister was not too happy with what he has heard. No reforms are in place. I believe either that the politicians are unwilling or unable to move forward.

So I really don't see a way forward given the history, the first 30- years of how things have been handled. And this new government for the past six months has not advanced on any reform plan on any reform. Nothing has been introduced yet. They are not moving forward. So I wonder whether the French President, which is our last hope, whether we can have a deal somehow and move forward.

ANDERSON: And I wanted to put that to you. Do you consider Macron's visit -- he is a seasoned and influential world leader these days. Is this a positive move and is the government at a point, given what's happened over the last 36 hours and given the anger and outrage, is the government at this point in a position to cave I guess is the term we should use?

NEAIME: Well, from what we have seen in the past six months, I doubt that the government is going to grab that opportunity, that very important opportunity to have the French President come to Lebanon. The past history, I mean -- but the foreign minister is not encouraging at all. So I believe that the government will squander that opportunity, that very important opportunity like they have squandered other opportunities and like they are doing with the IMF three-month negotiations. They're still at point zero. They're not moving forward.

So unfortunately, they're not going through it. I think they're not aware how bad things are, how catastrophic is the economy and financial situation. They keep on moving in the same direction. They are in a certain on their own but they have their own bubble and they really don't know how to move forward.

ANDERSON: Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Beirut. Indeed, the people of Lebanon and we hope that what is a pessimistic assessment, but a real assessment of the situation, is one that you can be improved. Thank you, sir, for joining us.

NEAIME: Thank you.

ANDERSON: Well, the U.S. President Donald Trump says no one really knows yet what caused the Beirut explosion. On Tuesday, he called it an attack. The U.S. military sources and the Lebanese government said they saw no evidence of that. Reporters asked for an update on Wednesday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A how can you say accident. Somebody was, you know, left some terrible explosive type devices and things around perhaps. Perhaps it was that. Perhaps it was an attack. I don't think anybody can say right now. We're looking into it very strongly. Right now it's -- I mean, you have some people think it was an attack. And you have some people that think it wasn't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says, most people believe the explosion was an accident. He says U.S. intelligence is still getting information but so far there is no indication that it was an attack.

[04:40:04]

Well countries around the world are sending emergency aid to Beirut. Let's take a look at how it's being put to use after this short break, stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Countries around the world are showing signs of solidarity with Lebanon. Paris's famous Eiffel Tower went dark at midnight to honor the victims of the Beirut explosion. The city sending more than $118,000 in emergency aid to Beirut.

Well, Israel also showing support for its neighbor. Tel Aviv's city all lit up with the Lebanese flag to honor the blast victims. However, some Israelis are criticizing the move as Israel considers Lebanon an enemy state. Well Israel is also showing support for its northern neighbor in an offer of humanitarian and medical aid. Saying multiple hospitals and medical centers are standing ready to help victims of the explosion.

Journalist Elliott Gotkine joins me now from Tel Aviv. It's offering, but I've been monitoring social media. There's a lot of thanks but no thanks from the Lebanese. Israel offers, question is, is there any chance that this aid will be accepted?

ELLIOTT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: It seems pretty unlikely at this stage, Becky. As you say, the offer from Israel is genuine but -- and the hospitals are at the ready and indeed, there have been doctors imploring the Lebanese to send their wounded over. But politically at least it seems unlikely to happen, as you say, Israel still designates Lebanon as an enemy state. There's little love lost between the two countries. And it's very hard to see this happening.

[04:45:00]

That said, there have been messages of solidarity from across the political spectrum culminating, as you mentioned, last night with the city hall in Tel Aviv being lit up with a flag of Lebanon. Now it's not unusual to see flags being beamed onto the side of that building. But this is the first time we're told that this is happened for a flag of a country that is designated as an enemy state.

The mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai saying, humanity comes before any conflict.

On top of that, we spoke with people outside city hall and they generally seem to share that view.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm shocked and I feel sorry for them. I want to help them. I came here to picture this -- take a picture of this flag. And I feel sorry for this country and for the terrible disaster.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's really devastating what's going on. And it's really affecting the whole world, especially in Israel. Being an Israeli American and seeing how my American people are reacting and Israelis are reacting and like feeling so close -- because were not far away from Americans. But everyone is like taking charge and donating and it's insane. Like, it shouldn't be happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOTKINE: And it's not just Lebanese social media users who aren't particularly happy at what's transpiring. Yair Netanyahu, that's the eldest son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is a prolific tweeter and he tweeted out last night.

This is crazy. Displaying the flag of an enemy state is a criminal offense.

ANDERSON: Elliot Gotkine is in Tel Aviv for you. Thank you, Elliott.

Well amid the chaos and destruction, one grandmother in Beirut is bringing some notes of hope. Surrounded by debris, blown out windows and punctured walls, May-Lee Melki at her home, playing Auld Lang Syne as her family and volunteers sifted through the rubble. Her granddaughter is sharing the moment on social media.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(Pictures of damaged rooms as May-Lee Melki plays Auld Lang Syne on the Piano).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Remarkable. Now shared more than 20,000 times, many have commented that this video encapsulates the spirit of the Lebanese people.

Take you back to CNN Center in Atlanta and Rosemary Church is there -- Rosemary.

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR Thanks so much, Becky. Appreciate it.

And still to come, why Twitter and Facebook took action against President Trump and his campaign for social media posts tied to COVID- 19. We'll explain on the other side of the break. Stay with us.

[04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: The Los Angeles mayor has approved a plan to shut off utilities for houses, businesses, and other venues that host unpermitted large gatherings, the kind that can easily turn into super spreader events. In this comes after a number of high-profile parties including one at a mansion on the famous Mulholland Drive on Monday. The mayor says the shutoffs target the people that he says are determined to break the rules posing significant public dangers and a threat to us all.

Of course, it's no secret that many across the U.S. are choosing to ignore safety warnings about the coronavirus. America's top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN's Sanjay Gupta that a mistrust in authority and even scientists may be driving some of his behavior.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: There is a degree of anti-science feeling in this country. I think we need to be more transparent in reaching out to people and engaging society the understanding why science and evidence-based policy is so important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Facebook and Twitter say they have taken action against President Trump for spreading false information about COVID-19. Twitter temporarily restricted the Trump campaign from tweeting on Wednesday after it posted a video of the President on Fox News claiming that children are almost immune to the virus. Research has shown children are less likely than adults to get seriously ill or die from COVID-19 but they are not immune from the disease. Twitter restored the Trump campaign's access after that video was removed.

And Facebook deleted the same video for similar reasons. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign accused the companies of being biased against the President and said social media companies are not the arbiters of truth.

And we've now learned that when Joe Biden accepts the Democratic presidential nomination, he will be in his home state of Delaware, not Wisconsin. Officials say Biden will no longer travel till Milwaukee in the latest sign the Democratic National Convention will be almost entirely virtual. The national committee chairman says they have been listening to public health experts and making adjustments to protect lives in the middle of this pandemic.

And this news comes on the same day President Trump said he was considering delivering his Republican National Convention speech from the White House. A suggestion that's already drawing much controversy.

I want to get to Europe now and specifically Germany, where it's recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time since early May. Our Fred Pleitgen is in Berlin. He joins us now live. Good to see you, Fred. So course, as we talked about many times, Germany did such a great job containing the first wave of this virus. What is driving this increase in daily cases now?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rosemary. [04:55:00]

And the Germans are saying they have the pandemic under control but they do believe that these new numbers are extremely concerning. It was 1,045 new infections that the German Center for Disease Control said that they recorded in a single day. As you said, for the first time in almost 3 months. And essentially what the German government is saying, they believe that there's two things that are mainly driving all of this. They say that a lot of people have somehow become lax with some of the rules that are in place. For instance, physical distancing, but of course also wearing masks when they're inside and sanitizing as much as possible.

And then you also have -- we're getting towards the end of summer holidays, not just here in Germany but of course, in some other European countries as well. And the Germans believe that there simply have been travelers who are now returning to Germany who are bringing the virus with them.

Of course, one of the things that the German government has started is free testing campaign at airports and other ports of entry into the country where anybody that who wants it, you can get a free test. And later this week they also want to start making tests mandatory for people coming from high risk countries.

But all of this, Rosemary, also feeds into a difficult situation for Germany because at this point in time they are also gradually reopening their schools. And of course there is concern that that could also drive rises in new infections as well. Today another state is bringing schools back online. Bringing students back into school. It's the state of Hamburg. And they're already -- they've escalated the situation. They originally didn't want to have kids wear masks when they go into school buildings. Now they do say that children do have to do that. As again, there is some concern that bringing the kids back to school could also drive the infections. But at the same time, all German states have agreed that they do want to opt for in classroom learning for students here in this country -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes, and that is a big debate everywhere. Fred Pleitgen joining us live from Berlin. Many thanks.

And thank you for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. "EARLY START" is up next. You are watching CNN. Have a great day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END