Turkish President Erdoğan hosts Lebanese PM Mikati in Ankara to discuss regional issues, instability

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Wednesday where the leaders held bilateral talks.

Mikati informed Erdoğan of the situation on the ground in Lebanon, which has seen many of its cities attacked as Israeli attacks intensified against the Lebanon-based Hezbollah armed group.

Mikati outlined in the closed-door meeting with the Turkish leader, that Israel, despite a ceasefire agreement, is continuing to violate Lebanese territory.

“The international community must continue to pressure Israel to strictly comply with the ceasefire,” said Erdoğan, speaking in a joint press briefing after the meeting.

Erdoğan continued saying “[Israel must] compensate for the damage it has caused in Lebanon. We will continue to do our part in this regard.”

The Turkish president says Ankara’s policy towards the Middle East has been consistent. Only a ceasefire in Gaza can truly bring about stability and prevent a spillover of the fighting in the neighbouring countries.

Erdoğan also criticised Israel saying “Whoever believes they can increase their security by shedding more blood, destroying more, annihilating and massacring civilians is in a grave error. We witness that the Israeli government still doesn't understand this reality, or more accurately, doesn't want to understand it.”

He reiterated his country’s support to Lebanon and its people, pledging to continue standing by its side with “all its available means against Israeli aggression.” Erdoğan praised PM Mikati for his leadership and management of the country during these difficult months.

The Lebanese premier thanked the Turkish president for Ankara’s support but noted that the situation is still dire in his