This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Turkiye is “closely” following diplomatic initiatives seeking an end to Israel’s attacks and occupation, said the nation’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, Anadolu reports.

“We assessed how Turkiye could contribute to these efforts. We also discussed opportunities to further develop our bilateral relations in various fields. We believe that the growing dialogue between Lebanon and Syria will benefit both countries. We stand ready to make the necessary contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries, which have had a difficult past,” Erdogan said during a joint news conference with visiting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Following the withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Turkiye wants to play an active role in all initiatives aimed at safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty, Erdogan added.

The Turkish president said that he is very pleased to host Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Turkiye and thanked him for making the first visit to Türkiye by a Lebanese head of state in 17 years.

Noting that Aoun is also a highly experienced military leader, Erdogan said he regarded Aoun’s election as president earlier this year as a significant step toward strengthening security in Lebanon and wished him success in his tenure.

Recalling Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to Istanbul earlier this month, Erdogan said today’s meeting with Aoun addressed regional developments, “particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon.”

READ: Erdoğan says NATO summit highlighted Türkiye’s central role in global security

“We continue our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our friend and brother Lebanon, with which we share deep ties,” he added.

Erdogan noted that Lebanon has long endured the consequences of serving as a battleground for regional rivalries and conflicts.

He added that Lebanon would be among the countries to benefit most from the environment of stability, peace and cooperation that Türkiye has sought to establish in the Middle East from the beginning.

Aoun said on Wednesday that discussions are continuing over a possible international force to replace the UN force in southern Lebanon, with proposals including European, Turkish, NATO-backed, Arab, and Islamic participation.

He said Lebanon’s priority is preventing a power vacuum and ensuring that any new force supports the Lebanese army, safeguards stability, and respects national sovereignty.

Turkiye has previously contributed to the naval wing of UNIFIL, the current UN force.

Pointing out that the death toll in Lebanon has exceeded 4,300 since March 2, 2026, while more than 2,000 people have been injured and 1 million have been forced to flee their homes, Erdogan once again offered his condolences to the Lebanese people.

“Turkiye has been among the countries to respond most strongly to the attacks from the first day,” he noted.

“We will continue our support for strengthening Lebanon’s institutional capacity and also maintain our humanitarian and technical assistance,” said Erdogan.

Turkiye stands ready to provide “all possible support” for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon after the Israeli attacks end, he added.

READ: Turkiye delivers humanitarian aid to 85 countries

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

• Iraq denies Trump’s claim of prior knowledge of US-Saudi strikes
• Israel rejects mediators’ Gaza proposal, insists on Hamas disarmament: Yedioth Ahronoth
• Iran’s Araghchi: Egypt is an important friend, its security is of utmost importance, warns of ‘Israeli conspiracy’
• US sanctions global networks supporting Iran’s Mahan Air, Revolutionary Guards
• Iranian army says drones target key US facilities at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base
• UK’s top court greenlights appeal of Palestine Action ban
• Pakistan, Saudi Arabia welcome Jordan proposal for Arab-Islamic meeting on Palestine
• Saudi Arabia hosts international meeting to create multinational maritime defense alliance for Bab al-Mandab
• Palestinian Football Association files complaints over Israeli claims against slain Gaza football figures
• Turkiye ‘closely’ monitoring efforts to end Israeli attacks, occupation: President Erdogan
• CENTCOM chief proposes 2-week air campaign against Iran following killing of service members: Report
• Yemen’s Houthis deny drone attack on gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta Port
• Iran protests Bulgaria’s decision to host US tanker aircraft on its territory
• Dozens of Israeli soldiers leave Sde Teiman base after dispute with commanders: Report
• The West Bank on a powder keg
• Netanyahu flight through Europe raises questions over ICC obligations of Rome Statute states
• Iran claims ballistic missile strike destroyed 3 US F-35 jets at Jordan air base
• The damage caused by Israeli strikes targeting several homes in different areas across the Gaza Strip
• Iraqi armed group issues deadline to Government, Warns of Retaliation Following Saudi-US Strikes
• Netanyahu says Israeli special forces would rescue him if arrested abroad
• London Hackney votes to begin ending 58-year twinning link with Israel’s Haifa
• Palestine finance minister warns ending banking ties with Israel would disrupt essential services
• Disarming settlers barely scratches the surface of Israel’s colonial violence
• Israeli soldier charged with contacting alleged Iranian intelligence operative
• Gaza hospital director warns of worsening humanitarian and health crisis
• Jordanian figures demand withdrawal of US forces and cancellation of military agreement
• Smotrich highlights expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank
• From Tehran to Riyadh: How Israel Draws the Red Lines America Can’t Cross
• Israel strikes power transformer, cuts electricity to three areas north of Ramallah
• Turkey’s Fidan meets new Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya on first foreign visit since election
• Houthi official denies reports of plan to charge ships passing through Bab al-Mandab
• US launches strikes on Iranian military targets after Trump warning
• Palestinians launch national observatory to document Israeli violations
• The Race for Universal Monarchy
• Hebrew TV channel reports rise in Iranian attempts to target senior Israeli officials
• UN warns of ‘major public health risks’ in Gaza as 83% of displacement sites report infestations
• Netanyahu proposes phasing out US military aid to Israel over 10 years: Report
• F1 season to end in Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi races cannot proceed
• The death count trap: Why tallying victims won’t stop Israel’s genocide
• “The Zionists Who Hate Jews”: a century of evidence against Zionism’s oldest defence
• When Washington buried a war maker
• The National Commission for Palestinian Popular Action call for restoration of political legitimacy
• Can disability become the next soft power tool in Indonesia-MENA ties?
• Nearly half of Americans want Netanyahu arrested despite Israel’s multimillion-dollar propaganda drive
• Trump says US will be hitting Iran ‘hard,’ but will ‘let them keep talking’
• Emancipation Lecture Explores 600 Years Of Western Dominance
• 14 Arab, Palestinian groups issue urgent appeal to protect Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Israeli escalation
• Iran weighed retaliatory strike against Ukrainian port: NYT
• Confronting the occupation’s violence strategically
• Pakistan rejects claim it will provide transit for Chinese missile shipment to Iran