Erdogan’s visit to Lebanon accompanied by protests of Lebanese-Armenians

04.01.2007 17:09
Anna Nazaryan
"Radiolur"

The visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to
Lebanon was accompanied by mass protests of Lebanese Armenians. Prime
Minister Erdogan had arrived in Beirut to present suggestions on
overcoming the situation in the Middle East.

The protests of the Lebanese Armenians made the authorities to take
Erdogan from the international airport in a helicopter.

This, however, did not prevent 15-20 thousand Lebanese Armenians from
following the calls of Hnchakian, Ramkavar and Dashnaktsutyun Parties
to arrange an action of protest in the central square of the capital
city. Director of the `Vanadzayn’ radio station Armen Avdalyan of
Beirut told `Radiolur’ that the action was held under the slogans
denying Erdogan’s visit. In particular, participants of the
demonstration reminded that 10 days ago Turkey started military
partnership with Israel, which had launched military actions against
Lebanon in July 2006, destroying the infrastructures of the country.

Representatives of the Armenian community organized another action of
protest in front of the Lebanese Prime Minister’s Office during the
latter’s meeting with Erdogan. The Lebanese press broadly highlighted
the events, affirming that in 1915 genocide was perpetrated against
Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.

Armen Avdalyan informed that the Armenian community called on the
authorities of Lebanon to reject Erdogan’s suggestions, since these
have long-term objectives. `It is certain that the Prime Minister is
applying great efforts to stretch the Turkish line throughout the
Middle East and therefore participates in regional issues of the
Middle East to present itself to the European Union as a pacifist
mediator,’ says Armen Avdalyan. According to him, realizing this
political objective of Turkey, the Armenian community is trying to
reveal the real face of Turkey.