Türkiye's first lady hosts Lebanese premier's wife in Istanbul
00:29, 11/07/2026, SaturdayU: Update: 00:43, 11/07/2026, Saturday
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife, First Lady Emine Erdogan (L) meets with Sahar Salam, wife of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R) in Istanbul, Turkiye, on July 10, 2026.First lady Emine Erdoğan on Friday welcomed Sahar Baassiri, wife of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to Istanbul, thanking her for the visit and expressing hope for continued friendship between the two nations, according to a statement on social media.
First lady Emine Erdoğan on Friday welcomed Sahar Baassiri, wife of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to Istanbul for a meeting focused on strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Lebanon.
Gracious visit
Erdogan said she was pleased to host Baassiri, thanking her for the "gracious visit" and underlining her wish for the "enduring friendship between our two countries" to continue, according to a post on social media. The Turkish first lady emphasized the importance of maintaining strong bilateral bonds during the discussions.
Bilateral context
Türkiye has historically maintained close relations with Lebanon, providing significant humanitarian assistance following the 2020 Beirut port explosion and supporting various development initiatives in the country. Emine Erdoğan has actively participated in international outreach programs, with her engagement forming part of broader Turkish efforts to strengthen ties with Middle Eastern neighbors amid shifting regional dynamics.