LANDMARKS in the region have been illuminated in support of Lebanese people affected by the devastating port explosion which killed at least 158 people.
Bridges and monuments across Sunderland were among those illuminated in recognition of the disaster which left 5,000 people injured and 300,000 homeless.
International leaders will hold talks today to raise aid for the country's capital Beirut where the explosion took place.
The virtual conference - set up by France and the United Nations - starts at 2pm Lebanon time, 11am in the UK.
United States President Donald Trump has said he plans to join the call.
Officials estimate the blast at the warehouse, which stored 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, caused up to £11.5bn in damage to the city.
On Saturday, several thousand people took to the streets of Lebanon, with police firing tear gas at stone-throwing protestors and some demonstrators storming government ministries.
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