Over 4 tons of ammonium nitrate have been stored in Beirut port for 15 years, Reuters reported referring to the Lebanese president Michel Aoun.

On September 2, the country's armed forces reported that 4.35 tons of ammonium nitrate, an explosive chemical that caused a blast on August 4, were found near the port, which left about 190 people dead and destroyed part of Beirut.

The blast caused about 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which officials said had been stored in the port for six years in unsafe conditions.

After meeting with senior army officers, President Michel Aoun said the 4.35 tonnes of ammonium nitrate found at the port's entrance had been stored there since 2005. He said they were safely destroyed.

The army inspected 143 containers in the port, and found other flammable materials, he said.

There was another fire in the port of Beirut, which could have been caused by welding.