With Saudi support? Turkey consolidates its grip on Lebanon

Saudi Arabia supports the unusual visit of Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Lebanon, as reported Sunday evening by Kan News. According to a Lebanese source, Riyadh views Turkish involvement as part of a regional Sunni cooperation, against the backdrop of a triple defense alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia supports the unusual visit of Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Lebanon, as reported Sunday evening by Kan News. According to a Lebanese source familiar with the visit's details, Saudi Arabia, the main patron of the Sunni camp in Lebanon, gave its blessing to the unusual event. The reason is that Riyadh sees Turkish involvement in the Lebanese arena as part of a regional Sunni cooperation taking shape, against the backdrop of the triple defense alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. The expected visit in the coming days will focus on Beirut, where the younger Erdogan will meet with senior government officials, and in Tripoli in northern Lebanon, a Sunni stronghold, where he will meet with local figures. Some see the visit as having potential for Turkish economic aid and a positive role in the Lebanese arena, but on the other hand, Sunni parliamentarians have expressed reservations about increased Turkish involvement given its regional ambitions. However, it seems the train has left the station, certainly with Saudi blessing.