ALBAWABA- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Ankara on Thursday, July 30, 2026, for his first official visit to Turkey since taking office, with talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, supporting Lebanon’s recovery, and addressing regional security challenges.
During a joint press conference following their meeting, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s institutions and providing continued humanitarian and technical assistance. He said Ankara would continue working to strengthen Lebanon’s state capacity and expressed readiness to contribute to safeguarding Lebanon’s sovereignty after the withdrawal of the current international force deployed in the south.
Erdogan said Turkey was closely monitoring diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Israeli attacks and the occupation of Lebanese territories, adding that Ankara was prepared to provide “all possible support” for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon. He also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Lebanon.
President Aoun welcomed closer cooperation with Turkey, saying Lebanon and Turkey share a strong desire to develop relations that serve the interests of both countries. He thanked Turkey for its support during difficult periods and stressed the importance of restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
The Ankara talks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to consolidate a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon following months of intense fighting that caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon. U.S.-mediated negotiations involving Lebanon and Israel have focused on implementing the ceasefire agreement, strengthening the presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces south of the Litani River, and addressing the role of armed groups in the region.
Discussions have also included proposals for security arrangements under which the Lebanese state would assume exclusive control of southern Lebanon, potentially through designated security zones. Progress has remained slow, however, with disagreements continuing over the timing of Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah’s future role, and security guarantees along the border.
Aoun’s visit to Ankara followed his recent trip to Washington, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Lebanon’s security, reconstruction efforts, and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese president sought stronger guarantees regarding Israeli withdrawal and international support for rebuilding Lebanon’s institutions and military capabilities.
Israel has maintained that any withdrawal from southern Lebanon must be accompanied by guarantees that Hezbollah is no longer able to operate near the border and that the Lebanese Army can effectively secure the area. Israeli officials have continued to call for security arrangements to prevent future attacks on northern Israel, allegedly citing longstanding concerns over cross-border threats.
The dispute over southern Lebanon comes amid broader regional tensions, with Israeli officials defending military operations against Hezbollah infrastructure while critics have raised concerns over the humanitarian impact and scale of destruction in affected areas.
