Bilal Erdogan Visits Turkmen Villages in Lebanon as Four Aid Trucks Reach Kawashra

Bilal Erdogan, head of the board of trustees of the İlim Yayma Vakfı (the Foundation for the Spread of Knowledge), concluded his visit to Lebanon with a tour of Turkmen villages in Akkar, during which four humanitarian aid trucks were delivered to the Kawashra municipality.

The Turkish delegation began its day with a meeting with the mufti of Akkar, Muhammad Bakkar Zakaria, in the town of Halba, then moved on to the villages of Kawashra and Aydamun, where Turkmen live. The delegation was received in Kawashra with Turkish flags and flowers carried by residents, and fireworks were set off in a special reception ceremony.

Erdogan was accompanied by Turkey's ambassador in Beirut, Murat Lutem, Professor Dr. Selim Argun, president of the Yunus Emre Institute, the coordinator of the TIKA office in Beirut, Salih Burak Yurdakul, deputy coordinator Serap Nayir, and the head of the Sadakataşı Association, Kemal Ozdal.

After meeting the head of the Kawashra municipality, Muhammad Abdullah, Erdogan said he hopes that the future of Lebanon and its people will be brighter, and that conditions in the country will improve with the new government. He added that "we feel we are very close to the people here who love our country and our president," and that they want to reciprocate that love.

He said that "this aid comes from Turkey to the brothers in Kawashra to support them a little in their daily lives." The Sadakataşı Association trucks contained food, health and medical supplies, clothing and heating materials.

On the education file, he noted that many students apply for "Türkiye Bursları" scholarships to study in Turkey, and said his country helps children in the Turkmen areas continue learning Turkish "and not forget their mother tongue," adding: "Perhaps the knowledge endowment will come to Tripoli."

Nu'ma Abbas, from the Turkmen of Kawashra, said that "Lebanon is our blood and Turkey is our blood," expressing her happiness at the visit. A resident named Husam al-Din added: "I cannot describe my feelings, my heart is bursting with joy." The child Lin welcomed the delegation: "Mr. Bilal Erdogan, welcome to our village."

In Aydamun, Erdogan met the Turkmen in the municipality building and conveyed to them the greetings and affection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He said that Turkey is working to be a guarantor of peace and stability in its surroundings, and that developments in Syria give hope for a prosperous and strong Syria, and for a better tomorrow for Lebanon.

He spoke about Qlayaat airport in northern Lebanon, saying that it will open soon and that travel between the two countries will become easier, with the flight to be followed by land and rail links, and then maritime transport to be strengthened.

He called on the Turkish people to visit the Turkmen towns in Lebanon: "Come and see this beautiful country, this beautiful land and these good people."