President Nawaf Salam Holds Key Talks in Istanbul Amid Upcoming Beirut-Washington Visit

As President Jozef Aoun prepares to travel to Washington on the 21st of this month for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, President Nawaf Salam arrived unexpectedly in Istanbul. During his visit, Salam engaged in constructive talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Informed sources described Salam's trip to Turkey as "important," noting that it follows Erdogan's recent statements at the conclusion of the NATO summit held in the Turkish capital. Erdogan had asserted that Turkey's security is linked to three capitals: Ankara, Damascus, and Beirut. Against this backdrop, Nawaf Salam is working to ensure that Erdogan's position benefits Lebanon. This could potentially lead to the formation of an international alliance including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France, and several friendly nations, which would strengthen Lebanon's stance in its conflict with Israel.

Following their meeting, Erdogan affirmed Turkey's support for Lebanon and its efforts to secure Israel's withdrawal from all Lebanese territories. He emphasized the importance of preserving Lebanon's sovereign decision-making, security, and territorial integrity. Erdogan also stressed Turkey's interest in enhancing and developing bilateral cooperation.

Al-Anbaa