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Turkish President Sezer and FM Gul Meet to Discuss Troops for Lebanon

Iran Materials 15 August 2006 17:10 (UTC +04:00)

(Zaman) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is set to receive Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul at Cankaya Presidential Palace on Tuesday morning, for talks on the current situation in the Middle East and in particular regarding the possible deployment of Turkish troops in south Lebanon as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.

At the meeting to begin at 10:45 a.m. and which is expected to last around an hour, FM Gul will inform President Sezer of the government's latest intentions regarding the deployment of Turkish troops in south Lebanon, reports Trend.

On Tuesday afternoon at around 2 p.m., Foreign Minister Gul is also due to meet opposition Republican People Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal at CHP's Ankara headquarters, where he will discuss the issue of Turkish troop deployment in Lebanon.

At Monday evening's meeting in Ankara of the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) top executive body, it was decided that FM Gul will travel to Lebanon and Israel in the upcoming days for talks regarding the deployment of Turkish soldiers in the region.

It was also decided at the AKP meeting that FM Gul should consult with the Turkish opposition parties on the troops for Lebanon issue.

Top Turkish civilian and military officials had convened at the prime ministry in Ankara on Monday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, especially the possible deployment of Turkish troops.

The Turkish officials did not make any definite decision regarding the mooted troop deployment in Lebanon, saying only that "the relevant UN decision will be awaited."

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok and Land Forces Commander Yasar Buyukanit were among the senior officials who discussed the Lebanon troop deployment issue.

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