After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Turkey will assist Lebanon in several areas, including training the Lebanese army, according to i24NEWS.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday evening that Turkey will provide assistance to Lebanon in several domains, including training for the Lebanese Armed Forces, following his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, according to i24NEWS.
Earlier Thursday, Erdogan offered Turkey as a partner for Lebanon after the UNIFIL mandate ends and pledged reconstruction aid for southern Lebanon, as The Zioneer reported. The Turkish president has been positioning his country as an alternative patron for Lebanon, issuing threats against Israel while signaling that Lebanon need not rely on Iran.
Aoun's statement comes amid a broader diplomatic push by Ankara to expand its influence in the Levant, including defense cooperation talks with the Trump administration. The meeting between the two leaders reflects Turkey's growing role in Lebanese affairs, a development that has drawn concern from Israeli officials.
2 developments
- DevelopingTrump expected to meet Lebanese President Aoun on Tuesday, report says
- StrongTrump calls Lebanese President Aoun, says US will back Israel deal
- DevelopingLebanese President Aoun speaks with US VP Vance, Kushner, and Qatar PM on ceasefire
- DevelopingErdogan threatens Israel, signals Turkey as alternative patron for Lebanon
Source and signal
- Open-source intake