Erdoğan expresses readiness to expand relations with Lebanon

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Friday in Istanbul.

Erdoğan and Hariri, who is assigned to form the new government in Lebanon, held a one-on-one meeting at the Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul, according to Turkey's Communications Directorate.

During the meeting, the sides discussed politics, economy, trade, and culture to enhance Turkey-Lebanon relations and cooperation in regional matters.

The Turkish president expressed the country's "willpower" to further enhance and strengthen bilateral relations.

The head of state stressed that Lebanon's political stability plays an important role not only for the Lebanese themselves but also for peace and stability in the region.

Hariri, during the meeting, thanked Erdoğan for Turkey's support and investments made in Lebanon.

The Turkish leader added that official Ankara would continue to contribute to the peace and unity of the friendly and brotherly Lebanese people.

Lebanon's president in October 2020 assigned Hariri, the leader of the Future Movement, to form the country's new government, less than a year after Hariri's last government resigned.

From 2009 to 2011 and from 2016 to this January, Hariri served as premier twice before being replaced by the current government.
He comes from a political dynasty, as the son of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005.