Türkiye vows continued support for Lebanon's unity, peace

By Seda Sevencan and Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) — Türkiye’s president on Wednesday reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Lebanon’s “unity and peace,” vowing to oppose any attempts on its stability.

At a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the Turkish capital Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye will continue efforts to “support the unity and peace of the Lebanese people. We stand firmly against any attempt to undermine Lebanon's stability.”

Erdogan urged the international community to continue pressing Israel to fully comply with the cease-fire it signed with Lebanon last month and compensate the damages it inflicted on the country.

"Türkiye has stood with Lebanon against Israeli aggression with all its means and has continued to provide humanitarian aid," Erdogan said.

Underlining that Lebanon's security is inseparable from the region's stability, underlined the Turkish president, adding that without a cease-fire and lasting peace in war-torn Gaza, the region could not achieve calm.

- A 'new era' Syria

In Syria, which borders both Türkiye and Lebanon, a "new era has begun" with the fall of the Bashar Assad regime earlier this month, Erdogan said.

“As its neighbors, we agree with Lebanon on the need to act together,” on Syria.

Türkiye will continue to stand by the Syrian people and provide all necessary support, as it has since the beginning of the conflict, Erdogan added.

He said that Türkiye and Lebanon shared the goal of helping Syria rise again, adding, "I believe the Syrian people, with their insight, will successfully navigate this process."

"We expect and sincerely hope that everyone who knows that Syria's stability means regional stability will contribute to this process," he noted.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.