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Turkish FM to visit Lebanon

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  • Turkish FM to visit Lebanon

    Turkish FM to visit Lebanon
    Talks to focus on NATO summit, Arab reforms

    By Khalil Fleihan
    Special to The Daily Star
    Friday, July 02, 2004


    BEIRUT: Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah
    Gul starts an official visit to Lebanon on Friday during which he is
    due to have political and economic talks with local officials.

    Gul is also due to brief Lebanese leaders on the NATO summit held in
    Istanbul earlier this week and the decisions made there that could
    affect Arab states. Talks are also expected to focus on reforms Arab
    states are to undertake, and the Istanbul initiative for security
    cooperation with several Arab states.

    An informed source said Gul's visit is the first by a Turkish foreign
    minister to Lebanon since 1983. He will be accompanied by two Turkish
    MPs and a 45 member delegation, and is to arrive in Beirut in the
    afternoon.

    Lebanon supports a Turkish role in restoring order to Iraq and
    rebuilding the country.

    A source at the Foreign Ministry said Gul's talks here would reflect
    the extent of rapprochement between Turkey and Lebanon, specifically
    with regard to Iraq and Palestine.

    The rapprochement between the two countries was evident in talks
    Foreign Minister Jean Obeid and Premier Rafik Hariri had in Turkey
    during visits earlier this year, specifically regarding the issues of
    the greater Middle East and Iraq and Palestine.

    The source said Gul's visit fell within the framework of Turkey's
    rapprochement with the Arabs, which began when Turkish Premier Recep
    Tayyip Erdogan took office last year.

    Erdogan has since declined several times to meet with his Israeli
    counterpart, Ariel Sharon, due to the political disagreement between
    the two countries.

    The source said Turkey regards Lebanese diplomacy as efficient and
    flexible. Turkey also wants to benefit from the Lebanese experience
    of coexistence between various religious communities.

    "Turkey says the Lebanese experience was an example to be followed, as
    it is in line with international expectations for this part of the
    world," the source said, adding that a forum on Harmony Among
    Civilizations will be held in Istanbul in October to pave the way for
    dialogue between Europe and Islam.

    This forum is on the agenda of the talks between Gul and Obeid in
    Beirut.

    Turkey has been hosting such forums since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks
    to offset international tension and safeguard the existing good
    relations between Europe and Islam.

    The source said Turkey is keeping a close eye on political
    developments in Iraq because they have a deep impact on Turkish
    interests, especially regarding Iraqi Turkmen and Kurdish minorities.

    Turkey wants to play an important part in the new, US-backed strategy
    for the region, specifically with regard to the reforms sought by the
    US from Arab and Islamic regimes.

    Moreover, Turkey supports Lebanon's claims regarding the "full
    implementation of UN Resolution 425." Turkey also supports Lebanon's
    call on Israel to withdraw from the Shebaa Farms.

    But Turkey has reservations over the movements of the Secret Armenian
    Army in Lebanon.
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