 The Turkish FM met with Lebanese officials, including Sunni leader al-Hariri (pictured) in Beirut. AP photo |
Turkey and Qatar announced Thursday that they have suspended their efforts to break the deadlock between rival parties in Lebanon’s political crisis, saying it is time for the Lebanese groups to discuss a solution.
Despite the announcement, Ankara remains engaged with the crisis that erupted after the collapse of Lebanon’s national unity government, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said at a press conference Thursday.
“After two days of intensive talks with the parties in Lebanon ... we realized there were still reservations [from the Lebanese side]. That is why we [the foreign ministers of Turkey and Qatar] decided to return home,” Davutoğlu said after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, at Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace.
The announcement by Turkey and Qatar came a day after Saudi Arabia abandoned its efforts in Lebanon, saying it would no longer attempt to mediate in the crisis and warning of a dangerous situation that could lead to the partitioning of the multi-faith country.
Speaking after two days of talks in Beirut with Lebanon’s political leaders, Davutoğlu repeated his support for the Syrian-Saudi initiative to resolve the current crisis in Lebanon. The initiative reportedly calls for Lebanon to disavow a U.N. tribunal probing the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in return for guarantees from the Shiite militant group Hezbollah concerning its weapons arsenal.
Lebanon is mired in a deep crisis over a dispute between the Saudi- and U.S.-backed caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri – son of the slain ex-premier – and the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah over the United Nations probe.
Political sources said the working draft drawn up by the foreign ministers of Syria and Saudi Arabia had been submitted overnight to Hezbollah, according to an Agence France-Presse report.
Turkish and Qatari foreign ministers met separately Tuesday with al-Hariri, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and parliament speaker Nabih Berri. They also met Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who lives in hiding for fear of assassination.
“We did all we could and presented them with a draft [on how to resolve the crisis], but the final decision depends on Lebanon’s side,” Davutoğlu said, adding that Turkey was ready to keep contributing to the process should the parties come up with a new approach for a solution. He also said they had consulted other world leaders, including those from the United States and the European Union, on the issue ahead of the talks.
“However, [we believe] that the parties in Lebanon must think over [and look for a solution], rather than us looking for more ways [to contribute].” Davutoğlu said. The Turkish foreign minister added that finding a solution was crucial not only for Lebanon, but also for the entire region. “We hope the crisis does not expand regionally, and a solution in accordance with all constitutional and democratic parameters is found,” he said.
The Russian foreign minister said his country appreciated Turkey’s efforts to help Lebanon solve the crisis. “The parties in Lebanon have proved they can reach a consensus in the past,” Lavrov said, adding that the consequences of not agreeing on a solution now would be bad for the country.
On Monday, the prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon submitted a sealed indictment in the case, which is now being reviewed by a judge. Hezbollah has said it expects some of its members to be implicated by the tribunal, which it accuses of being part of a U.S.-Israeli plot, the Associated Press reported. The Shiite party, the most powerful military force in Lebanon, led to the collapse of al-Hariri's government last week because of the dispute.
Despite the announcement, Ankara remains engaged with the crisis that erupted after the collapse of Lebanon’s national unity government, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said at a press conference Thursday.
“After two days of intensive talks with the parties in Lebanon ... we realized there were still reservations [from the Lebanese side]. That is why we [the foreign ministers of Turkey and Qatar] decided to return home,” Davutoğlu said after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, at Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace.
The announcement by Turkey and Qatar came a day after Saudi Arabia abandoned its efforts in Lebanon, saying it would no longer attempt to mediate in the crisis and warning of a dangerous situation that could lead to the partitioning of the multi-faith country.
Speaking after two days of talks in Beirut with Lebanon’s political leaders, Davutoğlu repeated his support for the Syrian-Saudi initiative to resolve the current crisis in Lebanon. The initiative reportedly calls for Lebanon to disavow a U.N. tribunal probing the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri in return for guarantees from the Shiite militant group Hezbollah concerning its weapons arsenal.
Lebanon is mired in a deep crisis over a dispute between the Saudi- and U.S.-backed caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri – son of the slain ex-premier – and the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah over the United Nations probe.
Political sources said the working draft drawn up by the foreign ministers of Syria and Saudi Arabia had been submitted overnight to Hezbollah, according to an Agence France-Presse report.
Turkish and Qatari foreign ministers met separately Tuesday with al-Hariri, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and parliament speaker Nabih Berri. They also met Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who lives in hiding for fear of assassination.
“We did all we could and presented them with a draft [on how to resolve the crisis], but the final decision depends on Lebanon’s side,” Davutoğlu said, adding that Turkey was ready to keep contributing to the process should the parties come up with a new approach for a solution. He also said they had consulted other world leaders, including those from the United States and the European Union, on the issue ahead of the talks.
“However, [we believe] that the parties in Lebanon must think over [and look for a solution], rather than us looking for more ways [to contribute].” Davutoğlu said. The Turkish foreign minister added that finding a solution was crucial not only for Lebanon, but also for the entire region. “We hope the crisis does not expand regionally, and a solution in accordance with all constitutional and democratic parameters is found,” he said.
The Russian foreign minister said his country appreciated Turkey’s efforts to help Lebanon solve the crisis. “The parties in Lebanon have proved they can reach a consensus in the past,” Lavrov said, adding that the consequences of not agreeing on a solution now would be bad for the country.
On Monday, the prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon submitted a sealed indictment in the case, which is now being reviewed by a judge. Hezbollah has said it expects some of its members to be implicated by the tribunal, which it accuses of being part of a U.S.-Israeli plot, the Associated Press reported. The Shiite party, the most powerful military force in Lebanon, led to the collapse of al-Hariri's government last week because of the dispute.
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