REPORT: Turkish interests in Lebanon threatened by Lebanese abductees’ relatives

According to 2011 statistics, Turkey is ranked 8th on the list of countries from which Lebanon imports goods; it is also ranked 5th on the list of Lebanese export markets. The head of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Mohammad Chkeir said that in 2011, Lebanon imported goods worth around 840 million dollars from Turkey and exported to Turkey goods worth 276 million dollars, marking a 19% annual increase.      

Lebanese-Turkish interests were affected by the ongoing movements targeting Turks and Turkish interests in Lebanon following the abduction of Lebanese pilgrims in Aazaz, in northern Syria.          

Chkeir said that relations with Turkey are economic, adding that Turkey and Lebanon share common interests. “How can a person threaten a state’s interests?”       

While Turks remain silent about threats to their nationals and interests, Lebanese businessmen are holding movements to absorb the reaction of Turkey.      

“This decision was the reason behind the UAE’s call on its nationals not to visit Lebanon,” he said.         

Lebanese businessmen are also holding the Lebanese government responsible for the failure to develop commercial relations with Turkey by refusing to sign a series of agreements reached under the rule of former PM Saad Hariri.


For the full LBCI report, watch the video above