Turkish PM says they will not remain silent if Israel attacks Lebanon

2010-11-26 04:54:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BNO NEWS) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said that Turkey will not remain silent if Israel decides to attack Lebanon, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Erdogan's remarks were made as he departed Beirut, the Lebanese capital, following a two-day visit. The visit strengthens the long-term alliance between Lebanon and Turkey, which currently is at an all-time low.

"Does Israel think it can enter Lebanon with the most modern aircraft and tanks to kill women and children, and destroy schools and hospitals, and then expect us to remain silent?" Erdogan asked. "We will not be silent and we will support justice by all means available to us."

Turkey has been a reliable ally of Israel in the Muslim world but the ties between the two nations have been deteriorating after Turkey opposed the Israeli Operation 'Cast Lead', which left between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians killed in addition to 13 Israeli deaths.

Erdogan's visit came mere weeks after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also visited the Lebanese capital and days before Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri is scheduled to travel to Tehran.

It is believed that the visits may indicate that Turkey is moving closer to the so-called resistance axis, as the European nation shares the anti-Israeli stance. Iran and Turkey are promoting unity in Lebanon as the country is on the brink of political disintegration over the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Erdogan also visited a village in northern Lebanon which is inhabited by Turkmen families. During his speech, he also called on Israel to apologize for its regional mistakes. In addition, the PM inspected the Turkish troops with the UN Interim Force stationed at the Israeli border.

The Prime Minister also called on the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to pressure Israel over its nuclear program in the same way that the international community has been dealing with Iran.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-26

No comment though from the Turkish PM on the murder of the Lebanese PM. Guess he doesn't want to lose his hands to Hizbollah.

The Turkish PM uses the middle east situation to retaliate against the EU for the refusal to accept Turkey. The EU wasn't so wrong to decline membership status to Turkey as the EU can not afford anymore bailouts to weak economies.

Nor allow a nation where the parliament is being taken over by MPs that want to alter the constitutions separation of church and state.

No comment though from the Turkish PM on the murder of the Lebanese PM. Guess he doesn't want to lose his hands to Hizbollah.

The Turkish PM uses the middle east situation to retaliate against the EU for the refusal to accept Turkey. The EU wasn't so wrong to decline membership status to Turkey as the EU can not afford anymore bailouts to weak economies.

Oh really? Unfortunately your comment shows nothing but unawareness. Please check the economic situation in major Europe countries such as Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain.... I don't even talk about smaller members. And you're talking about 2nd biggest growing economy in Europe as a "weak" economy. Please comment about something if you're really aware of the subject.

I do NOT care anything about what this Radical Islamist PM says about anything and I can agree with you about his Hizbollah connection, However I strongly oppose your comment about "weak" economy.

And on a deep note, EU is just a christian club as you know it, I don't think it's ever possible for EU to accept a country which has more than 90% of muslim population. Turkey is only showing itself so desperate and funny for still trying to fit in.