Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş’s invitation to Ankara was delivered to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beirut Murat Lutem.
A statement from Berri’s office said Lutem presented the Lebanese Parliament speaker with the official invitation for a visit to Türkiye. The meeting addressed developments in Lebanon, particularly the situation on the ground in the country’s south.
The meeting took place as the region’s security agenda remained in focus amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon. Lutem described the meeting as “highly productive.”
Lutem said Türkiye would continue to stand by Lebanon and that Ankara had established close relations with all political leaders in the country. The ambassador said Türkiye’s support for Lebanon and the Lebanese people would continue, emphasizing the importance of the country’s security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Growing contacts between Türkiye and Lebanon
The invitation to Berri came after a series of recent contacts between Türkiye and Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Ankara on July 30 and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Following the visit, Aoun said relations between the two countries had moved from “deep-rooted friendship to a strategic partnership.” Erdoğan said Türkiye’s strong and resolute support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would continue, as would support for the Lebanese armed forces.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also met with Erdoğan in Istanbul in July. The parties agreed to revive the free trade agreement process and complete technical consultations.
Erdoğan also reiterated Türkiye’s support for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory. On August 31, Lutem said Ankara would continue supporting Lebanon and efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries, underscoring the importance attached to the country’s security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
