Turkey expects Lebanon’s al-Hariri to decide ‘without pressure’
ANKARA
Turkey has expressed its full pledge to the stability and sovereignty of Lebanon with expectations that Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri will make a decision regarding his career “without pressure” after his return to his country.
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil late Nov. 16 in Ankara as part of the latter’s tour to regional countries. The meeting comes after al-Hariri’s controversial resignation from his position during a visit to Saudi Arabia in an unprecedented way.
“We support Lebanon’s unity and stability and we are against any action that would put Lebanon’s stability at a risk. We are in favor of a peaceful resolution of this problem,” Çavuşoğlu said during a joint press conference. The minister said Turkey welcomed al-Hariri’s statement that he would return to his country soon.
“I believe al-Hariri will make the right decision after consultations with the president and all other political actors without facing pressure from anyone,” Çavuşoğlu said.
“Turkey is the brother of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. We are ready to make any positive contribution on this issue,” he said, praising the role Lebanese President Michel Avn has played since the very beginning of the political crisis in the country.
“Lebanon does not need additional problems. On the contrary, we all have to help for the resolution of already existing problems. Turkey’s position is clear on this,” Çavuşoğlu said.
