Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a joint press conference with the Iraqi Prime Minister following their meeting at the presidential complex in Ankara, on July 28, 2026. (Credit: Adem Altan / AFP)
BEIRUT — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will travel to Turkey on Thursday, where he will be received by his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, local media reported Wednesday. The information was confirmed to L’Orient-Le Jour by an official source.
According to available information, the visit is expected to focus on economic and energy issues, as well as certain security matters, including the issue of Syrian refugees — a challenge both countries have faced since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Syria borders both Turkey and Lebanon.
Direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are also expected to be discussed. According to sources at the al-Markazia agency, Lebanon is seeking as much support as possible for its position calling for a complete Israeli withdrawal, a stance fully backed by Ankara.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam already visited Turkey on July 10, where he met with President Erdogan and other officials.
Lebanon began direct talks with Israel in April, reaching a framework agreement in June, in the hope of ending the war launched on March 2 by Hezbollah. This Iran-backed party opposes both the talks and the possibility of handing over its weapons to the state.
Despite an initial deployment of the Lebanese Army in the southern village of Zawtar Gharbieh, the future of the Israel's withdrawal from the area defined by the yellow line — which encompasses dozens of localities — remains uncertain. Israel has repeatedly said it will not withdraw from the occupied areas, or that it intends to maintain freedom of action in southern Lebanon. This remains a point of contention with Lebanon ahead of a future round of negotiations scheduled for Aug. 4 in Rome.
