Hariri from Turkey: Defending Lebanon is Not Terrorism
Naharnet-AFP | January 11, 2010
Turkey and Lebanon signed Monday a number of cooperation agreements including an accord on visa-free travel between the two countries and other deals envisaging cooperation in the military, agriculture and transport realms.
The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan, at a joint press conference with Hariri, assured support for Lebanon at all levels.
“We are continuing to put pressure on Israel to implement international resolutions and I have asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to visit Lebanon,” Erdogan said.
He slammed the Israeli overflights as “unacceptable action that threatens global peace.”
Erdogan said Turkey would supply natural gas and electricity to help meet Lebanon’s energy needs and that the two countries planned a ferry service between their Mediterranean coasts.
Hariri, for his part, said: “We are not advocates of war, but advocates of the return of our stolen land.”
“Defending Lebanon is not an act of terrorism, but attacks on Lebanon are terrorism itself… We have to stand shoulder by shoulder against the enemy’s plans… We have to stop Israel,” said Hariri answering a question.
Hariri hailed Turkey’s improving ties with Arab countries and increased activism in peace efforts in the Middle East.
“We hope and expect Turkey to continue playing a positive role in trying to bring peace,” he said.
Later Monday, Hariri and the accompanying delegation visited the Turkish parliament in the afternoon.
The premier crowned his talks by an evening meeting with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul in presence of Lebanese Ministers Ali al-Shami, Ziad Baroud, Jerban Bassil, Mohammed Jawad Khalifeh, Mohammed Rahhal, Salim Wardeh, and a number of top Turkish officials.
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