Influence of Armenian parties will be obstacle for Turkey in Lebanon: expert

Haidar believes that influence of the Armenian parties in Lebanon can be obstacle for Turkey in participating in the internal affairs of the country.

"Turkey is the only country in the region which can take a balanced position in relations of the Arab countries and Israel, and in future. This may play an important role in the conflict between Lebanon and Israel," Haidar, head of Delta Studies Center, said by telephone from Beirut.

However, with regards to the participation of Turkey in solving the internal political crisis in Lebanon, Haidar does not see Ankara as a mediator in the view of the influence of Armenian parties in the country's parliament.  

During his two days visit to Lebanon, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad Davudoglu said that Turkey is ready and will cooperate in establishing stability in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported.

The Turkish Foreign Minister added that the stability in Lebanon means the stability in the whole region and Turkey will make every effort in this regard.

In addition to meetings with the government, Davudoglu held a meeting with the head of the Hezbollah faction in the Lebanese Parliament Mohammed Raad. Although the meeting was closed, Davudoglu and Raad discussed the issues of national reconciliation in Lebanon, The Journal of Turkish Weekly reported.

Davudoglu expressed satisfaction of the Turkish government with the recent elections in Lebanon in June and the process of national reconciliation between the opposition Hezbollah and the parliamentary majority on March 14.

The independent Lebanese political scientist believes that the role of Turkey in the reconciliation of national parties of Lebanon is minimized since Ankara does not have close historical and political ties with the Lebanese parties.

He said that Turkey may be given a "moral role" in establishing national reconciliation between the opposition and government as a Muslem country participating in regional conflicts in the Middle East. However, Haidar believes that even Egypt, which mediates in many processes of reconciliation in the Arab countries, was not able to help Lebanon on the way of national dialogue.

The main stage of national dialogue in Lebanon took place between pro-Iranian Hezbollah Party and pro-Western coalition on March 14 led by Sad Al-Hariri, which won the parliamentary elections and must form a new Cabinet of Ministers.

However, Hezbollah has denied requirement of March 14 to give the right of veto to president in the parliament to stop armament separately from the Lebanese national army.

Last year, the Lebanese government gave Hezbollah the right to armament in case of an attack by Israel on the country.

Haidar believes that the main obstacle to Turkey in Lebanon will be the Armenian faction, which has had influence in Lebanon for a long time.

As a result of elections in June, six Armenians gained seats in parliament.

"This will be a major problem for Turkey if it wants to play a direct role in the internal politics of Lebanon," said Haidar.  

However, in the future, Ankara should be seen as the key mediator in the reconciliation between Lebanon and Israel, he said.

Turkey's role in the relations of the Arab countries and Israel becomes geo-strategic, said Lebanese political analyst.

"Due to its strategic role, Israel conducted two major wars - in Lebanon in 2006 and Gaza in 2009, which resulted in the weakening of military forces inside the country," said Haidar.

Today, Turkey is the only country in the region, which could help Israel with external support, said Haidar. "Therefore, Turkey's strategic ties with Israel and a balanced policy with the Arab countries in the future will be one of the strategic steps in the Arab-Israeli reconciliation, particularly in Lebanon."

"The only thing that can be expected in Lebanon from the role of Turkey is the reconciliation with Israel in the future. Yet this issue has not an extensive discussion, but in the future will be one of the main strategies," said Haidar.

Formerly, Ankara was a key and only mediator in the indirect Syrian-Israeli talks, which were re-established last year after eight years of interruption. Despite the fifth round of talks, Syria and Israel have failed to agree upon beginning direct dialogue, and in December, following Israeli attack on Gaza, Damascus stopped the peace process.

The Turkish government has expressed willingness to again become a mediator if the sides agree on a new round of negotiations.

/Trend News/