Israeli attacks on Lebanon 'clear' effort for regional war: Erdogan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Sep 2024 10:35
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The Turkish leader stated his country is exercising its efforts to stop "Israel's" policy of "occupation, invasion, and massacre as soon as possible"

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks during a joint bilateral signature agreements ceremony with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on September 4, 2024. (AP)

"Israel's" latest attacks on Lebanon will lead to a regional war, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"The recent attacks against Lebanon and the recent statements made by Israel are a clear manifestation of the efforts to spread the war to the region," Erdogan said at a New York event hosted by the Turkish-American National Steering Committee (TASC).

The Turkish leader added that "Israel's" ongoing genocide in Gaza further threatens regional peace.

"Global institutions and organizations have taken no effective steps to end the oppression in Gaza or prevent Israel's massacre," he highlighted.

Erdogan emphasized that the international community is losing its "effectiveness and credibility," asserting that institutions responsible for ensuring peace and security are "clearly in a state of moral collapse."

"The massacre that has been going on in Gaza for 352 days has shown this once again," he said.

The president added that Turkiye has been exercising its efforts to stop "Israel's" policy of "occupation, invasion, and massacre as soon as possible."

"We have not remained silent and will not remain silent against any attack on the sanctity and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first qibla," Erdogan underscored.

'Israel' conducting attacks akin to a terrorist organization: Erdogan

Erdogan condemned the Israeli attacks in Lebanon, pointing out that these actions validate Turkiye’s concerns regarding "Israel’s" broader ambitions to expand war across the region.

Speaking to the press in Istanbul on Saturday before departing for New York, where he is set to address the UN General Assembly, Erdogan accused "Israel" of conducting attacks akin to a terrorist organization.

"With this attack (pager explosions in Lebanon), Israel demonstrated it has no civilian sensitivities, it can use any means to achieve its hateful ambitions," he indicated, as quoted by Anadolu.

Erdogan warned that the region is now grappling with an "inexplicably huge crisis," urging the international community, particularly Western nations, to "stop watching Israel's heinous actions and take deterrent steps."

Ahead of his September 24 speech at the UN General Assembly, the Turkish President said he will present Turkiye's perspectives "on the issues on the agenda of our region and humanity."

"I will specifically address the common actions that can be taken against the genocide in Gaza and Israel's aggressive policies," he added.