Turkish foreign minister meets US envoy as Gaza, Syria top agenda

On December 16, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara with US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Presidential Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, following Barrack’s visit to Israel.

The talks focused on recent developments regarding peace plans for the Gaza Strip and the evolving situation in Syria. Fidan and Barrack previously met on November 14, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Barrack, a key US official involved in the White House’s engagement with Lebanon, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 15 amid growing concerns that Israel could launch a major military offensive against Hezbollah.

Lebanese officials reported last week that Beirut had received warnings from Arab and international parties about a potential wide-scale Israeli operation targeting the Iran-backed group. These warnings have prompted intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation and preserve the November 2024 ceasefire that ended more than a year of fighting.

The Lebanese army told the Washington Post that efforts to place weapons under state control—including disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani River—are nearly complete. This initiative is part of a three-week deadline set by the Lebanese government to ensure that all arms are held solely by the state, underscoring the broader push to stabilize the country and maintain the ceasefire.

By Vafa Guliyeva