Davutoglu: First Arab Spring achieved in Lebanon

As part of his visit to Lebanon, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held separate meetings on Saturday with Lebanon’s top officials and Maronite patriarch.    

First, Davutoglu held a meeting with President Michel Sleiman at Baabda during which he described the Turkish-Lebanese ties as “excellent”.    

Davutoglu stressed that Turkey refuses that Lebanon be affected by the turmoil and crisis sweeping the Middle East.    

In turn, Sleiman hoped that the Arab League would regain its role in the Palestinian cause and in settling the crisis raging over certain countries in the region.     

Davutoglu later went to Ain el-Tineh to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri with whom he discussed the latest regional developments.    

Turkey’s foreign minister later discussed with PM Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail the bilateral ties between both countries and the current situation in the region.    

Davutoglu confirmed following the meeting that stability in Lebanon is crucial since it constitutes the pillar of the permanent stability in the region, hoping that other countries will learn a lesson from Lebanon's "free and fair elections and multifaceted policy". “The first Arab Spring was achieved in Lebanon”, he said.     

Then, the Turkish FM headed for Bkerke where he discussed with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai the domestic and regional situation.