Lebanese Prime minster Najib Miqati held talks Erdogan in Ankara, urging the latter to continue the efforts in order to release the 11 Lebanese visitors.

Lebanese Prime minster Najib Miqati held talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, urging the latter to continue the efforts in order to release the 11 Lebanese visitors who were abducted in Syria ten days ago.

“Mr. Erdogan stressed that Turkey will continue to exert intensified efforts to rescue the Lebanese citizens held in Syria,” Miqati’s press office said in a statement issued after the meeting.

“Erdogan underlined Turkey’s support for Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty and political stability, stressing that he continues to back the responsible approach endorsed by all parties towards preserving stability and civil peace in Lebanon,” Miqati’s office added.

Erdogan later threw a dinner banquet in honor of Miqati and the accompanying delegation, which included Interior Minister Marwan Charbel and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

On the other hand, Turkish daily “Todays Zaman” reported that Erdogan released a joint written statement, saying that the Turkish PM told Miqati that Turkey would continue to put efforts to help rescue the kidnapped Lebanese citizens.  

 The daily added that the two men detailed talks on bilateral relations and regional affairs. Both leaders reaffirmed their will to improve their relations, the statement added.