As tensions with Israel increase, Erdogan says Turkey supports Lebanon

In light of the escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, President Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that Turkey was in solidarity with Beirut and urged other neighbouring nations to do the same.

In recent weeks, tensions across the border between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have grown, feeding worries of a full-scale conflict between the two groups. Tens of thousands of civilians have been evacuated from neighbourhoods on both sides of Israel’s northern border.

Erdogan claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to expand the Gaza conflict throughout the region during an address to members of his AK Party in parliament.

“It seems that Israel has now turned its eyes on Lebanon after destroying and burning Gaza. We see Western countries giving Israel support behind the scenes,” Erdogan said.

“Netanyahu’s plans to spread the war to the region will lead to a big catastrophe,” he said, adding that the Western support for Israel was “pitiful”.

“Turkey stands with the brotherly people and state of Lebanon. I call on other countries in the region to stand in solidarity with Lebanon,” he said.

Speaking on the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah earlier this week, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the Turkish government saw a risk of the conflict escalating.

Concerning the threat posed by Hezbollah to Cyprus, the EU member state next to Lebanon, Fidan urged Cyprus to “stay away” from the fighting.

In an interview with private Haberturk television, Fidan revealed that Turkey received intelligence information indicating that Cyprus had turned into a base for military and reconnaissance aircraft over Gaza by “certain countries.”

According to Cyprus, the country is “in no way involved” in the fighting. It has pushed for financial support from the EU for Lebanon and recently established a sea route to provide aid to Gaza.

(Source: Reuters)