Erdoğan to meet Lebanese PM in Istanbul on Friday

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to receive Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Istanbul on Friday, according to Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran. The meeting will focus on Türkiye-Lebanon bilateral relations "in all aspects," Duran said in a social media post Thursday.

Agenda and regional context

The leaders are expected to reaffirm Türkiye's commitment to Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty—a message that carries particular weight amid ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and the broader regional tensions. The talks come as Lebanon continues to grapple with political and economic crises, and as Türkiye positions itself as a key diplomatic actor in the eastern Mediterranean.

Türkiye’s support for Lebanon

Ankara has consistently voiced support for Lebanon's stability and called for the full implementation of ceasefire agreements. Turkish officials have also emphasized the need for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by conflict. Friday's meeting will likely address these issues, alongside potential cooperation in energy, trade and security. It follows the recent NATO summit in Ankara, where Türkiye showcased its growing diplomatic influence.