Press releases

09 May 2008, Regarding the current political crisis in Lebanon. (Unofficial Translation)

We are deeply saddened and concerned over the fact that the ongoing tension in Lebanon turned into armed clashes between the groups in Lebanon as of yesterday.

Turkey, which has been following closely the developments regarding the impasse in the Lebanese presidential elections, has voiced, in various high-level contacts with the parties in Lebanon in the last eight months, its concerns over the possible repercussions that could emerge if the political crisis in the country could not be resolved and stressed the need to find a solution to the problem through reconciliation. We feel the sorrow for having turned out right.Continuation and expansion of the incidents in Lebanon may affect the entire region in utmost negative terms.

With this understanding, in view of the escalated tension in recent days, our Prime Minister has contacted with Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nebih Berri and with some regional leaders, whereby he has called for calm and restraint and has drawn attention to the risks of the continuation of the incidents to the detriment of Lebanon and the region. In addition, our contacts with the leader of the Future Movement Mr. Saad Hariri and representatives of other groups in Lebanon continue. It has been declared to the parties which demand our assistance that we are ready for making any contribution for the establishment of peace and stability. In this context, alongside our contacts at the highest-level, the Turkish Ambassador in Beirut pushes his efforts with all parties in Lebanon.We expect the parties to refrain from acts that would further escalate the tension and to search for a solution through dialogue on the common denominators of Lebanese identity and the national interests of Lebanon. Lebanese people should not go through once more the pains and sufferings they have experienced in therecent past.

We believe that responsibility also falls on the shoulders of the international community for halting the armed clashes in Lebanon and finding a solution to the problem. In this context, we also believe that all of the countries having close relationships with different parties in Lebanon should use their influence towards contributing to help establish stability in the country.Turkey calls on all sides to display a responsible attitude on the ground of legitimacy for an immediate end to the armed clashes in Lebanon, establishment ofsecurity and tranquility in the country and resolving the problems through dialogue and compromise and in calm and restraint.

Republic of Turkey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs