Lebanon's PM: Turkey great partner for regional cooperation

The Lebanese prime minister defined on Monday Turkey as a great partner for regional cooperation.

Lebanon's Premier Sa'ad al-Din al-Hariri said that Lebanon saw Turkey as a giant partner for building regional security and cooperation.

Turkey and Lebanon were sharing political and moral values and a common vision, al-Hariri told a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Al-Hariri is paying a formal visit to Turkey and the two prime ministers discussed settlement of regional stability and peace, ways to boost cooperation and common interests of the two countries.

The Lebanese prime minister defined the common vision as establishment of regional security, prosperity and development.

Lebanon wanted fair and lasting peace in the region, and the settlement of Palestinian issue on the basis of a two-state solution, the capital of which would be Jerusalem, al-Hariri said.

Al-Hariri underlined importance of Turkey's support to Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause.

Also, the prime minister appreciated Turkey's support for Lebanon's security and stability and asked Erdogan to maintain Turkey's positive role for a fair peace and lasting stability in the region.

Al-Hariri said attack on Lebanon was the terrorism itself, and Israel was a country threatening Lebanon's security.

Lebanon would never be divided if Israel wanted to do so, and Lebanon would continue to preserve its national unity, al-Hariri said.

Al-Hariri said Lebanon wanted Turkey to assume a great role for future of the region.

The Lebanese prime minister also said his country wanted peace, and had always stood against war.

/World Bulletin/