Ozyildiz Meets ex-Minister Moawad, Says Lebanon's Stability Main Concern for Turkey

Turkish Ambassador Inan Ozyildiz stressed that his country is exerting efforts to maintain Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, expressing hope that the developments in the region would reinforce this matter.

Ozyildiz said during a lunch banquet held by former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad in Ehden on Sunday that Turkey is trying to promote pluralism in the region.

“Democracy is an ideal aim that we are trying to achieve, even in the European countries and those that claim to apply democracy, they have to exert efforts to preserve its advancement,” the ambassador said.

He voiced concern over the developments in the neighboring country Syria, hoping that the transition would lead to a better situation.

“The hostile action and conflict must come to an end in Syria,” Ozyildiz added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says that at least 27,000 people have been killed since the uprising kicked off in mid-March 2011. The United Nations says more than 20,000 have died.

For her part, Moawad hailed Turkey's role in supporting the Lebanese state and sovereignty without “meddling in its affairs.”

“This is the model that we are seeking to adopt with our partners and brothers in the region, a model based on respect and not hegemony,” she pointed out.

The ex-Minister urged Turkey to continue supporting the Syrian people that is confronting on a daily basis “death, torture, detention and various difficulties to preserve its freedom and independence and live in democracy and dignity.”

“The ongoing situation in Syria will not save the regime that lost its legitimacy as it will destabilize the region and produce extremism.

The banquet was held in presence of head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad, prominent figures in Ehden and several officials.