Turkey supports Lebanon’s stability: Minister

By Cansu Dikme, Sena Guler and Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, in Ankara Thursday.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister said they discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, which directly affect both Turkey and Lebanon.

Lebanon’s former Prime Minister’s Saad Hariri’s resignation was another topic discussed during the meeting, according to Cavusoglu.

“We support Lebanon’s unity, integrity and stability, and we oppose any development that would risk Lebanon’s stability,” Cavusoglu said. He added that Turkey is pleased with Hariri’s statement that says he would return to his country.

Cavusoglu also said that Turkey appreciates the mature behavior of Lebanon’s President and other Lebanese authorities, regarding the issue.

We put in an intense effort to improve bilateral relations with Lebanon, he said, adding that Turkey and Lebanon have strengthened economical, commercial and cultural relationships.

Stressing that Lebanon lived many pains in the past and they are hosting a number of Syrian refugees now, Cavusoglu said that Turkey knows what a heavy burden this is for Lebanon.

“So, Lebanon do not need any other problems. On the contrary, we need to contribute to the solution of the existing problems.”

Bassil, on his part, said Lebanon’s policy is to keep the country away from foreign issues, and vice versa.

Citing Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri's resignation and trip to Saudi Arabia's Riyadh city, Bassil urged Hariri's "immediate" return to the country and to resolve the matter "at once".

"Hariri issue is actually a matter of Lebanon's sovereignty," he added. Bassil also called on Arab countries to "not interfere with Lebanon's internal matters".

He also thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Turkish counterpart, adding his gratitude for Turkey’s stance against a coup d’etat.

“Turkey’s attitude is clear since the beginning. It states that it is totally against the coup d’etat. Turkish people stick by whatever the Lebanese people say,” he said.