Turkey Offers Advanced Arms to Lebanese Army, Seeks Role in Hezbollah Arms Dispute

Turkey has expressed its willingness to provide advanced military aid to the Lebanese army, including sophisticated weaponry, and has indicated a desire to play a role in resolving the issue of Hezbollah's arms, according to a report by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar on Tuesday. The report cited a Lebanese government source stating that official Lebanese bodies are engaged in political discussions with the Turkish government on several matters, though the Lebanese presidency, headed by Joseph Aoun, is not involved.

Ankara has reportedly informed Beirut multiple times of its interest in supporting the Lebanese military with advanced weapons. The source also indicated that Turkey is prepared to contribute to finding a solution for Hezbollah's arsenal. Turkish officials have conveyed reservations to their Lebanese counterparts regarding Beirut's handling of the Hezbollah issue and its weapons.

Al-Akhbar suggested that Turkey's initiative aims to bolster its influence in Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean, not necessarily as a direct replacement for the U.S. role in the region. The Lebanese source also stated that Turkey advocates for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

In parallel, Turkey is reportedly working to mediate between Hezbollah and the Syrian government, led by Ahmed Al-Shar'a, amidst tensions between Hezbollah and the new Syrian authorities following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. This effort stems from Turkey's view that the security of Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey are interconnected, aiming to prevent new confrontations between Lebanon and Syria.

Furthermore, Turkish officials have reportedly criticized the strategic rapprochement between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cyprus and Greece. Ankara believes it has direct interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and seeks to prevent regional power shifts that could diminish its influence and align Lebanon with an axis including Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.