Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday to discuss bilateral relations and developments in the Middle East amid ongoing Israeli attacks, despite the US-led peace dealFollow our live coveragehttps://t.co/engl6Ithuv https://t.co/H16CKogfp6 News Analysis & Summary Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam this Friday in a high-stakes diplomatic encounter aimed at addressing bilateral ties and the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The meeting comes as Israeli military operations continue to escalate across the region, even as the United States promotes a controversial peace deal that many regional actors view as unbalanced. Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israeli policies and a staunch supporter of Palestinian rights, is expected to use this platform to reaffirm Turkey's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and stability. My opinion: This meeting signals a deliberate pivot away from Western-led mediation efforts that have historically failed to curb Israeli aggression. By engaging directly with Lebanon's new leadership, Erdogan is positioning Turkey as an alternative diplomatic heavyweight willing to challenge the status quo. The timing is critical: Lebanon faces severe economic collapse, political paralysis, and constant security threats. A unified stance between Ankara and Beirut could reshape regional alliances, especially if they push for a multilateral peace process that includes Iran and non-Western powers. However, the success of this initiative hinges on whether Salam can leverage Turkey's support without deepening Lebanon's internal sectarian divisions. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 1,994 Likes: 4 Comments: 1 Published: July 9, 2026, 5:52 pm