Erdogan Visits Lebanon: Batoul Wehbe
24/11/2010 Turkish Prime Minister arrived in Lebanon Wednesday on a high profile visit that spans two days where his Lebanese counterpart officially welcomed him at the Rafiq Hariri airport in Beirut.
Last month the greeting word was “Khosh amadid,” Persian for welcome, in honour for Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who made a historical visit to Lebanon urging for Lebanon’s unity and security. Now, it’s “Merhaba”, Turkish for welcome, the word of the week in order to celebrate the Turkish Prime Minister’s visit to Lebanon that starts today.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit is likely to include signing of a partnership agreement to establish a free-trade zone and a joint political declaration that envisages establishing a high-level strategic cooperation council. Erdogan’s visit is aimed at attempting to calm the severe political tensions in Lebanon.
Billboards showing Erdogan with the Turkish flag as backdrop have been mounted in Beirut's city center, an echo of the scene when Ahmadinejad was welcomed to Lebanon.
The Turkish premier held closed-door talks with President Michel Sleiman and met parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri who held with him a joint press conference.
"The aim of (Erdogan's) visit was to sign bilateral agreements ... and strengthen quadripartite ties among Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon," Sleiman's office said. "The meeting also covered ... the importance of finding solutions to all matters related to the international tribunal."
Erdogan also made a visit to northern Lebanon, accompanied by his Lebanese counterpart Saad Hariri.
While describing Erdogan as “a great and dear brother,” Hariri addressed him during a popular gathering. "You are garnering the love of the people of Lebanon and Akkar because you have taken the initiative to plant the trees of knowledge, goodness, and progress in this region,” he said.
For his part, Erdogan said that "Lebanese-Turkish ties have become an example to be followed,” revealing that Turkey will take steps to strengthen political and economic ties with Lebanon during his two-day visit.
The Turkish official expressed his compassion towards the Lebanese and all the hardships they have had to endure over the years, saying: "We will continue on raising our voices against oppression and we will continue on defending the innocents."
He called on the Israeli government to apologize to the people of the region and work for peace, demanding it to "halt its provocative actions."
In remarks published Wednesday by As-Safir newspaper, Erdogan expressed his country's concern over the situation in Lebanon. "We cannot put aside Israeli attacks on Lebanon," he said.
He said that Turkey will "do the necessary to fight signs of a civil war in Lebanon."
The premier also reminded the Lebanese of the support Turkey has provided for Lebanon during its hardships. "Now is the time for unity in Lebanon," he stressed.
Commenting on the CBC report, Erdogan believed it was "wrong" to blame or accuse some in the assassination of former Prime Minister Martyr Rafiq Hariri. "If the Prosecutor had not issued his final word and did not put the documents forward, the judge cannot say his word," he explained.
"This situation means that the killer is unknown … which means you cannot accuse anyone." "No justice on earth can reach a verdict without depending on evidence reached by the Prosecutor," Erdogan believed.
According to a statement from the Prime Ministry Press Center, a ceremony would be held within the scope of the Annual Arab Banking Conference for 2010: The New International Role of Arab Banks, where Erdogan will be given an award. Erdogan will also visit Turkish troops assigned within UNIFIL and inaugurate schools and a rehabilitation center constructed by Turkey.
Turkish PM: We will continue to back Jerusalem and Gaza
[ 24/11/2010 - 08:13 PM ]
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a visit to the Lebanese city of Akkar that if war broke out in the region the loser will not only be the region’s people, but Israeli citizens will share losses as well.
Erdogan, speaking before thousands in its neighboring state, called on Israel to quit acting provocatively, recant on its blunders, and apologize to the region’s people.
“We in the region will unite and grow for what’s right and for the rule of law, and we will stand in the face of the wrongdoers and in the face of the wrongdoing.”
The Turkish premier assured that his country will continue to back the causes of Jerusalem and Gaza until all rights are restored.
“We will say this strongly in the face of the murderers, yes, your are murderers. Trust fully that we will raise our voices high against the tyranny, and continue to defend what’s right as long as there are people working in piracy on the high seas; and we will defend the rights of the innocent and oppressed.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli security cabinet discussed Wednesday the possibility of reigniting tensions with the Hezbollah group in Lebanon following an expected ruling by the international court in charge of investigating into the assassination of the country’s former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Senior officials predict that strong tensions between Israel and Lebanon will return if Hezbollah is charged with the 2005 Hariri assassination, Israeli radio said.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Gaby Ashkenazy said during a visit to Canada last week that Hezbollah may try to stage a coup in Lebanon if handed responsibility for Hariri’s death.
“There is a real possibility that Hezbollah will take control of Lebanon,” Ashkenazi warned.
Hezbollah has accused the international court of being politicized and working for Israel.
No statement was issued to conclude the meeting which was attended by Israeli intelligence agency heads.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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