The prime ministers of Turkey and Lebanon on Monday slammed the Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and air raids in Gaza Strip, warning they were undermining prospects for peace in the region. "Attacks on Lebanon is terrorism itself... We have to stand shoulder by shoulder against the enemy's plans... We have to stop Israel," visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri told a press conference.
According to AFP, Hariri's counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey "will never stay silent" on Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace. He slammed the Israeli overflights as "unacceptable action that threatens global peace."
Erdogan also questioned a deadly Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip Sunday. "Is the Israeli government in favour of peace or not?... Gaza was bombed again yesterday. Why?... There were no rocket attacks," Erdogan conveyed. "They have disproportional capabilities and power and they use them... They do not abide by UN resolutions... They say they will do what they like. We can in no way approve of such an attitude," he said.
Erdogan also renewed criticism of Western powers on Monday for pressuring Iran on its nuclear program while tolerating Israel. "We are against the development of nuclear weapons by any country in the region," he said. "Israel has nuclear weapons... Those who are cautioning Iran must also caution Israel," he said, referring to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. "If we fail to display a fair attitude in this region, the problems will hit not only the region, but will spread elsewhere as well. The unrest of the Middle East is the unrest of the world," he said.
