Erdogan vows Türkiye’s support for Lebanon, demands action against Israeli aggression

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Türkiye stands firmly by Lebanon and urged the international community to take decisive action against Israeli aggression.

This statement came during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on the sidelines of the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

‘Israel must be stopped’

During their discussions, Erdogan and Mikati addressed various topics, including the strained relations stemming from Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Palestine, as well as broader regional and global issues.

The international community must urgently implement a solution to halt Israeli aggression.

President Erdogan

He condemned Israel for “disregarding fundamental human rights and committing genocide in front of the world,” stating that addressing this humanitarian crisis resulting from the attacks is a “humanitarian duty.”

This closed-door meeting occurred in the wake of escalating violence, with Israeli strikes and bombardments on Lebanon leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

The ongoing conflict has intensified since the onset of Israel’s military campaign against the Gaza Strip, which has claimed nearly 41,500 lives, predominantly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7.

The international community has expressed concern over the strikes on Lebanon, fearing a regional escalation of the Gaza conflict—a risk Erdogan has repeatedly highlighted.