Shahan Kandakharyan: Turkish factor gaining weight in Lebanon

PanARMENIAN.Net - With election Michel Suleiman new President of Lebanon, the Armenian community got added evidence that political consent should be the basis for further development of the country, editor-in-chief of Azdak Beirut-based newspaper Shahan Kandakharyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.



"Undertaking a deal of responsibility in the agreement achieved in Katar, the operating Armenian parties have concluded that joint efforts are needed to overcome the crisis and ensure security of the community," he said. "The new electoral legislation provides all communities with ample opportunity to send their representatives to the parliament."



At the same time, Mr Kandakharyan remarked that the Turkish factor is gaining weight in Lebanon. "It's obvious not only in Lebanon but in the entire region. Two years ago Turkey deployed peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The visits of Turkish politicians and diplomats have become more frequent. Lebanese historians are invited to Ankara to study Turkish archives while Turkish scholars give lectures at Lebanese universities. At the inauguration of Lebanon's new President, Turkey was represented by Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. This activity is not accidental. Furthermore, Turkey has become a mediator between Syria and Israel," he said.