Trust in Allah and Türkiye has been our strength during crisis: Lebanese PM Mikati
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (L) shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, Dec.18, 2024. (AA Photo)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his gratitude for Türkiye’s ongoing support as Lebanon endures Israeli attacks. “Lebanon has been through a severe crisis, but we have learned that our trust in Allah, and in our friends, especially Türkiye, has been our strength,” Mikati said, expressing gratitude for Türkiye’s support as his country continues to endure Israeli attacks.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his host President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara, Mikati highlighted the deep and long-standing ties between the two nations, particularly in the humanitarian and political realms.
Meanwhile, “Türkiye has stood with Lebanon against Israeli aggression with all its means and has continued to provide humanitarian aid,” Erdogan said.
President Erdogan welcomed Lebanese PM Mikati with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex, where key Turkish officials were present, including Environment Minister Murat Kurum, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Culture Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, National Intelligence Organization chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin.
Lebanese premier thanks Türkiye for support through ‘difficult times’
Mikati also acknowledged that the economy, society, and environment in Lebanon have suffered due to the Israeli attacks, which have continued despite a cease-fire last month following more than a year of cross-border attacks.
He underlined the solidarity Türkiye and other Arab nations showed Beirut, adding that this has been of immense importance to Lebanon throughout the current challenging period.
“The solidarity you have shown, especially in these difficult times, means a great deal to us. Türkiye has always closely followed developments in Lebanon and its support is something we deeply value,” Mikati said.
He reaffirmed that as Lebanon endeavors through the ongoing crisis, it remains committed to supporting Syria’s sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity. Mikati emphasized the importance of good relations between Lebanon, Türkiye, and Syria.
‘Without lasting peace in Gaza, region cannot be calm’
Meanwhile, President Erdogan said that Lebanon’s security is inseparable from region’s stability, adding that without cease-fire, lasting peace in Gaza, region cannot be calm.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering stance against any efforts to destabilize Lebanon, adding, “We stand firmly against any attempt to undermine Lebanon’s stability.”
“Türkiye has stood with Lebanon against Israeli aggression with all its means and has continued to provide humanitarian aid,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan also 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.
‘New era in Syria begun,’ says Erdogan
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 opposition groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
