Russia will also donate 10,000 tonnes of fuel oil to Beirut, minister Ali Hamie told Reuters, without elaborating. The Russian embassy in Lebanon did not respond to a request for comment.

News of the donation comes after Russia said on Saturday it was halting its participation in the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative that facilitates the passage of cargo ships through the Black Sea amid the war.

The initiative had eased food security concerns, especially in parts of the developing world heavily dependent on imports of grain. Ships carrying grain continued to sail from Ukrainian ports yesterday.

Lebanon is in the fourth year of the most serious crisis since a 1975-90 civil war.

The national currency has lost more than 90% of its value since 2019, leaving the cash-strapped government struggling to pay for imports of basic goods.