Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu reported arrived in Lebanon from Tehran Monday evening. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu arrived in Beirut Monday evening, the state-run National News Agency reported. During his time in the country, Çavuşoğlu is expected to meet several Lebanese officials and to open Turkish-funded projects in a number of Lebanese areas, the NNA added.
Here’s what we know:
• Earlier this month the Turkish ambassador to Lebanon announced that his country would donate 3,000 food portions for Internal Security Forces officers. The ISF officers have been suffering from a sharp devaluation in their salaries due to the country’s economic crisis.
• Çavuşoğlu reportedly arrived in Beirut from the Iranian capital Tehran, where he met with his counterpart Hussein Amir-Abdollahian. The pair reportedly discussed their aim to develop regional and global cooperation.
• His visit comes amid an escalating diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and several Gulf Arab countries following comments made by Information Minister George Kurdahi criticizing Saudi intervention in the war in Yemen in opposition to Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
• The Turkish foreign minister will hold a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib on Tuesday at the Foreign Ministry, a spokesperson for the ministry told L’Orient Today.