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Turkey to exert efforts to ensure permanent ceasefire in Lebanon — Erdogan

The Turkish leader also stated that Israel must be held accountable for crimes in the Gaza Strip
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vladislav Nogai/TASS
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
© Vladislav Nogai/TASS

ISTANBUL, December 6. /TASS/. Turkey will exert efforts in a bid to ensure a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told the media.

"Lebanon is in a very precarious position. Everything is ruined. Requests for assistance are pouring in. We will continue to help even when the whole world is silent. We will exert efforts to ensure a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon," he declared.

Erdogan said he spoke by telephone on Thursday with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who vowed to take steps to make ceasefire possible.

He also stated that Israel must be held accountable for crimes in the Gaza Strip.

"We must hold Israel accountable for its atrocities and genocide," Erdogan emphasized.

The agreement on the first ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon since hostilities began in October 2023 came into effect on the morning of November 27. US President Joe Biden announced that, in line with the agreement, Lebanese forces were to regain full control of the country’s territory within 60 days. After that, Israeli forces will be withdrawn.