Çavuşoğlu Says Turkey Ready to Help in Lebanon-Gulf Row

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Tuesday urged all parties to overcome the problems in Lebanon so that the Lebanese people do not have to “pay the price of regional bargains.”

Çavuşoğlu stated in a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib that “we feel sad over the Lebanon-Gulf crisis,” and hoped for solving the row through negotiations. “Turkey is ready to do its part,” he affirmed.

Çavuşoğlu had arrived in Lebanon from Iran overnight and held talks with President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Foreign Minister Bou Habib.

The Turkish minister discussed with Aoun ways to improve the relations between the two countries and increase Turkey's import of Lebanese products, the President said.

Aoun added that he welcomes any support from Turkey that facilitates the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

Çavuşoğlu also evaluated with Berri the Lebanese-Turkish ties and they agreed on “developing the relations,” Çavuşoğlu said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister will meet later today with Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

“I came to affirm Turkey’s support for Lebanon and to invite Miqati to visit Turkey,” he stated, asserting Turkey’s support for the Lebanese government and stressing on the necessity of holding the parliamentary elections on time.