Erdogan: Lebanon Has Become New Target of Israeli Policy of ‘Genocide, Occupation, Invasion’

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia September 29, 2021. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia September 29, 2021. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS
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Erdogan: Lebanon Has Become New Target of Israeli Policy of ‘Genocide, Occupation, Invasion’

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia September 29, 2021. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia September 29, 2021. Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday condemned Israel's recent attacks in Lebanon as part of what he called an Israeli policy of "genocide, occupation, and invasion", urging the UN Security Council and other bodies to stop Israel.

In a post on X without naming Nasrallah, Erdogan said that Türkiye stood with the Lebanese people and government, offering his condolences for those killed in the Israeli strikes, while saying the Muslim world should show a more "determined" stance.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group said on Saturday its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has been killed, confirming his death after the Israeli military said it had eliminated him in an airstrike in Beirut the day before.



US Determined to Prevent Iran from Expanding Mideast Conflict, Austin Tells Gallant

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington, June 25, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington, June 25, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)
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US Determined to Prevent Iran from Expanding Mideast Conflict, Austin Tells Gallant

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington, June 25, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington, June 25, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP)

The United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iran-backed groups from exploiting the situation in Lebanon or expanding the conflict, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in calls on Friday.

Austin expressed full US support for Israel's right to defend itself and "made it clear that the United States remains postured to protect US forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defense of Israel," Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said in a statement on Saturday.