President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, said his visit to Turkey reflected the longstanding ties between Lebanon and Turkey and a shared determination to expand cooperation in ways that serve both peoples and contribute to regional stability.
Speaking after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, Aoun said the visit may have come later than it should have, noting that he was only the third Lebanese president to visit Turkey in 70 years.
He said that figure underscored the need for more active and ambitious relations between the two countries, particularly at a pivotal moment when the region was reshaping its future.
Aoun said he had found in Erdoğan a clear vision and a genuine willingness to elevate bilateral relations to a new level, adding that the Turkish president understood that Lebanon’s stability was integral to the stability of the wider region.
He expressed confidence that the visit would mark the beginning of a new phase of partnership, mutual trust and joint action between Lebanon and Turkey.
Aoun also spoke of Lebanon’s suffering as a result of the Israeli war, citing thousands of casualties, the destruction of villages, the displacement of families and severe damage to the economy.
He said Lebanon would not relinquish its national dignity or surrender to overwhelming force, while rejecting provocations against friendly countries and unilateral interference in its internal or sovereign affairs.
Despite the destruction, Aoun said the war had failed to break the will of the Lebanese people, who remained determined to restore state sovereignty, rebuild the country and secure a safe and stable future.
He thanked Turkey’s government, leadership and people for standing by Lebanon during its most difficult periods, including after the Beirut port explosion and throughout the latest war.
Aoun also praised Turkey’s continued support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and its active participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, saying Lebanon valued that commitment and hoped it would continue.
Source: NNA