Lebanon Ready to Attempt TRNC Embargo Lift

"We are against embargos. In a globalizing world, new walls cannot bring solutions," Obied said yesterday during a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

Obeid reminded that Lebanon signed the decision concerning Cyprus without any ‘hesitation’ during the June Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, Turkey; however, he did not indicate any concrete steps that his country would take to end the embargo.

Gul added during the press conference that the relations between Lebanon and Turkey have advanced to a higher level. He also said that Turkey supported the new Iraqi government and that Ankara had invited Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi to Turkey.

Gul went on to say that Turkey would play an active role in the solution of the Palestinian issue. He emphasized that the participation of Lebanon and Syria in the solution of this issue was critical.

During his visit to Lebanon Gul also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Refik Hariri. Several Turkish businessmen accompanied Gul and held meetings with their Lebanese counterparts. Gul was met by Lebanese President Emil Lahud yesterday. Gul returns to Turkey today.