Erdogan Reiterates Support of Lebanon in Face of “Israel”, Signs Partnership Agreements with Lebanese PM

On his second day of visit to Lebanon, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan took part in the Arab banking Conference 2010, in which he reiterated Turkey's support to Lebanon and the countries of the region.

Erdogan hoped "this conference would serve Arab banks good", encouraging to follow the lead of the European Union by adopting one unified visa between the countries of the region.

Turkish PM highlighted that his country's only aim is peace and stability in the region.

Furthermore, Erdogan slammed the Zionist enemy emphasizing "If you (Israelis) are to enter Lebanon in the most developed tanks in order to demolish its schools and hospitals and ask us silence, we for sure will not remain silent and will support right and say it out loud."

On another note, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed with his Lebanese counterpart Saad Hariri partnership agreements following late night talks Wednesday at the Grand Serail.

The two men signed a free trade agreement between Lebanon and Turkey, after an agreement was reached earlier this year on establishing a free trade zone that also includes Jordan and Syria.

They also signed a joint political declaration on the establishment of the High Level Strategic Cooperation and Coordination Committee.

A statement issued by Hariri's office said the two men discussed regional developments and bilateral relations, in addition to the progress of the peace process in the Middle East.

After he arrived at Rafiq Hariri airport on Wednesday at noon, the Turkish premier held closed-door talks with President Michel Sleiman and met parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri who held with him a joint press conference.