"The spill has hit more than 60 miles of the Lebanese coast from Jiyyeh to Shekka, north of the capital, including Beirut's only sandy public beach of Ramlet al-Baida, said Green Line.

"This is definitely one of the worst environmental crises in Lebanese history," the group said in a joint statement with other environmental groups.

The NGOs warned that the marine environment, including the endangered green turtle — not to mention the future tourism prospects of Lebanon — would "suffer tremendously for several years from this spill."

"This oil spill is bigger than what the local authorities can handle and urgent help is needed from outside," they said, while adding that Israel's sustained air strikes were endangering those involved in clean-up operations."