President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon held a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex, emphasizing their commitment to regional stability and cooperation.

Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye's unwavering support for Lebanon's unity and peace, stating: "We stand firmly against any attempt to undermine Lebanon's stability." He highlighted the inseparability of Lebanon's security from regional stability, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts.

Addressing the situation in Gaza, President Erdoğan asserted, "Our region cannot find peace unless a ceasefire and permanent peace is established in Gaza." He criticized the Israeli government's actions, noting, "Whoever thinks they will strengthen their security by further shedding blood... is gravely mistaken."

The leaders discussed developments in Syria, with President Erdoğan declaring, "A new era has begun in Syria. As two important neighbors of the country, we have agreed on the need to act in unison." He emphasized that Syria's stability is crucial for regional peace and outlined the importance of reconstructing Syria and normalizing daily life.

Prime Minister Mikati expressed gratitude for Türkiye's support during Lebanon's crises, stating, "Trust in Allah and Türkiye has been our strength during crisis." He acknowledged the deep ties between the two nations and emphasized the significance of Türkiye's solidarity.

Erdoğan urged the international community to pressure Israel to comply with ceasefire agreements and compensate Lebanon for damages caused by recent aggressions. He stated, "Türkiye has stood with Lebanon against Israeli aggression with all its means and has continued to provide humanitarian aid."

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Türkiye and Lebanon to address regional challenges collaboratively, with a focus on achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. (ILKHA)