BEIRUT: The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Thursday that Lebanon stands to benefit from a more stable Middle East.
Standing alongside his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Aoun, following talks in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkiye supports all efforts to strengthen Lebanese-Syrian ties, and described ongoing dialogue between Beirut and Damascus as “beneficial and fruitful for both countries.”
He added: “We are fully prepared to provide assistance to develop relations between Lebanon and Syria.”
Erdogan also reiterated Ankara’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, saying military assistance would continue “without interruption,” and pledged Turkish backing for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon.
Ankara was also willing to contribute to any international peacekeeping force deployed to help guarantee stability and security in southern Lebanon after the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon expires in December this year.
“We highlighted the war crimes committed by Israel in Lebanon,” Erdogan said, adding that he had discussed with Aoun diplomatic efforts to stabilize the country, and opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.
Their meeting took place as Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew at low altitude over Beirut and its suburbs. The leaders’ focused on the latest developments in southern Lebanon ahead of the seventh round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, which are due to take place in Rome in the coming days.
Their discussions also covered ongoing efforts to ensure that all weapons in Lebanon are brought under state control, a potential international force to take over UNIFIL’s peacekeeping role in southern Lebanon, and relations between Lebanon and Syria. In addition, they addressed Lebanon’s opposition to any attempt by Syria to confront Hezbollah on Lebanese territory, amid reported US pressure on the Syrian president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, over the issue.
Aoun described his visit as the beginning of “a new relationship” between Lebanon and Turkiye, based on closer cooperation.
“I sensed from President Erdogan a sincere vision for advancing relations between our two countries,” he said, as he thanked Ankara for its continued support for the Lebanese army, and its participation in UNIFIL.
“Lebanon’s stability is not just a Lebanese matter but part of the region’s stability.”
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the restoration of full state authority throughout Lebanon, he said: “We are more determined than ever to restore our national sovereignty. We will not compromise our national dignity, nor surrender to any oppressive power.
“There will be no provocation of any neighbor, friend or brother. There will be no unilateral interference in our internal or sovereign affairs, and peace within our country can only be achieved through a functioning state.”
Lebanon remains committed to securing a full Israeli withdrawal from its territory, Aoun said, to enable displaced residents to return to their homes, accelerate reconstruction efforts and economic recovery, and ensure that only the state’s legitimate security forces exercise sovereignty.
He added that lasting peace in the region depended on respect for the sovereignty of states, the right of all peoples to determine their own future, and cooperation based on mutual interests and respect.
A Lebanese political source told Arab News that Aoun has been using his recent foreign trips, including last week’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, to secure international backing for his agenda, in particular the efforts to extend state authority across all Lebanese territory, and support for the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations intensified in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Several villages in the western sector were shelled, including Taybeh, Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, Mazraat Beit Al-Sayyad, Tallousa and Kfar Tebnit. Other strikes targeted Tell Ali Al-Taher and Nabatieh Al-Fouqa before dawn, and Israeli troops reportedly set fire to several homes in Markaba.
Marking the upcoming Army Day on Aug. 1, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Gen. Rudolphe Haykal, said the military remained committed to carrying out its mission despite limited resources and mounting operational challenges.
He said the deployment of forces in southern Lebanon was proceeding in line with existing understandings and national priorities, and efforts were continuing to facilitate the safe return of residents to their homes.
“The army is prepared to deploy in all occupied areas once Israeli forces withdraw,” he said. “However, the occupation continues its attacks and violations in an attempt to obstruct the army’s efforts.”
