President Aoun Travels to Ankara to Meet Erdogan, Emphasizes Strategic Coordination with Turkey

President Michel Aoun left Beirut this afternoon for Ankara, where he is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several Turkish officials to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, President Aoun stated that "the relations between Lebanon and Turkey possess the foundations to advance to higher levels of cooperation," adding that "Lebanon relies on Ankara to contribute to economic recovery."

The president noted that "Turkey's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its extensive regional relations qualify it to play a supportive role in internationally promoting the framework formula and encouraging the involved parties to fully commit to its provisions."

He affirmed that "Lebanon is committed to implementing what was signed in Washington, but the success of this agreement depends on clear guarantees, primarily a complete and simultaneous Israeli withdrawal alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army, a final halt to violations and attacks that still affect the south, and an effective international mechanism to verify the commitment of both sides, so that Lebanese commitments do not become a unilateral step in the absence of an Israeli counterpart."

President Aoun clarified that "Turkey occupies a central position in the current regional landscape, and coordination with it is a strategic necessity, not a temporary option."

Regarding military cooperation between Lebanon and Turkey, the president said, "The Lebanese army requires multifaceted support to enhance its deployment and extend state authority," adding that Lebanon will discuss with Turkey the expansion of existing military support and training programs. He emphasized that "the Lebanese army is engaged in an existential challenge to extend state authority over its entire territory, which requires multifaceted support: modern equipment and supplies, specialized training, and logistical support enabling effective deployment in sensitive areas, particularly in the south, where its deployment should coincide with a complete and simultaneous Israeli withdrawal."

He stated, "We will propose to the Turkish side the possibility of expanding the already existing support and military training programs, especially since Ankara has previously expressed its readiness to contribute to strengthening our military institution's capabilities. However, at the same time, we affirm that any Turkish support will be in addition to the existing American and international support, not a substitute for it."

On another note, he pointed out that "the priority is to ensure that no security vacuum occurs after the end of the UNIFIL mandate, and any proposal to form a replacement force, including possible Turkish participation, will be viewed solely in terms of its ability to support the Lebanese army in extending its authority and ensuring stability in the south."

President Aoun reiterated that "the Lebanese state, represented by the presidency and the government, is the only constitutionally authorized entity to make decisions related to sovereignty, security, and foreign relations, and this is a position we have consistently upheld." He added that "the successful implementation of ceasefire understandings and resolving outstanding issues, foremost among them the monopoly of arms by the state, requires a cumulative approach and ongoing internal dialogue, away from confrontation, so that everyone is convinced that Lebanon's supreme interest lies in a strong state with its legitimate institutions alone, not in maintaining division over decisions of war and peace."