President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who arrived in Turkey after 17 years, with an official ceremony in Ankara. Following their private meeting at the Presidential Complex, the two leaders made important statements at a joint press conference.
Erdoğan expressed his pleasure at this visit from Lebanon at the presidential level and thanked Aoun. Noting that they discussed regional developments in light of the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, Erdoğan said, "We continue our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of friendly and brotherly Lebanon, with which we have strong ties."
Erdoğan stressed that since the start of Israel's attacks on Lebanon on March 2, 2026, more than 4,300 Lebanese have lost their lives, over 2,000 have been injured, and 1 million have been displaced. Offering condolences to the Lebanese people and wishing the injured a speedy recovery, Erdoğan said, "Turkey has been one of the countries that has shown the strongest reaction to the attacks from day one."
Erdoğan stated that Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon, and added that they want to take part in all initiatives to be launched after the completion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) mandate to support security in the region and ensure Lebanon's sovereignty.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, for his part, said that there are deep-rooted relations with Turkey and a willingness to strengthen cooperation. Thanking Erdoğan for the warm welcome and hospitality, Aoun emphasized that the visit took place at a critical time when the region's future is being shaped. Aoun said, "Mr. Erdoğan, with his vision and steadfast will, supports these relations and is determined to take them to a new level of cooperation."
