Beirut landmark bathed in Belgian colours in solidarity over attack

A woman looks at Beirut's landmark of Rawshe illuminated in the colours of the Belgium flag on March 26, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

BEIRUT (REUTERS) - The Lebanese capital Beirut lit up one of its landmarks in the colours of the Belgian flag on Saturday in a gesture of solidarity over the suicide attacks in Brussels which killed 31 people.

The Mediterranean city endured a devastating 1975-1990 civil war and was hit by bombings last November which killed 44 people - attacks which were overshadowed by killings in Paris the next day that drew worldwide grief and condemnation.

On Saturday evening, one of the Pigeon Rocks - striking natural rock arches by Beirut's sea shore - was bathed alternately in the colours of the Belgian and Lebanese flags.

"Today, we send a message of solidarity and affection... and we say to everyone, quite simply, that life must triumph over death," Beirut governor Ziyad Chebib said at a ceremony with Belgium's ambassador to Lebanon.

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