Lebanon's post office releases controversial stamp featuring photo of Beirut explosion

The Lebanese post office has released a new commemorative stamp featuring an image of the Port of Beirut blast, just two months after the harrowing explosion - which killed over 200 people - took place.

The limited edition stamp costs LBP10,000 - which amounts to $6.6 at the official rate or $1.2 at the black market rate.

LibanPost said all proceeds will be donated to the Lebanese Civil Defence, which lost nine firefighters and a paramedic in the 4 August blast.

Despite this, Lebanese - who are still waiting for results of an official investigation - expressed anger at the institution's lack of sensitivity, coming so close to the deadly explosion.

"Very disrespectful, even if the intention is good," one Facebook user wrote in a comment.

"This is not right. Commemorating mass trauma and murder. Shame," another person said.

Experiencing the massive explosion - caused by some 2,700 tonnes of poorly-stored ammonium nitrate - has caused huge traumata for thousands in the capital.

Many are still mourning the deaths of some 200 people who lost their lives during the blast, while hundreds more are coming to terms with the injuries they sustained that day.

Mischka Mourani said on Twitter that the photo featured on the stamp was the same view she saw from her balcony at the time of the explosion.

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"Were I not convinced this is an act of trite idiocy, I would say it is a manifestation of the *banality of evil.* Shame on whoever signed off on this project," Mourani wrote.

With the onset of the financial crisis in Lebanon, the postal service began to run out of state-issued stamps required for official paperwork.

The Beirut blast exacerbated the situation with many Lebanese needing stamps to send off paperwork for home repairs or insurance claims.

Despite this, many Lebanese have outright refused to buy the new stamp. 

"You won't see me queuing to buy this one," Joelle Bassoul wrote on Twitter.