Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül told parliament in September 2006 that Türkiye would contribute forces to the expanded UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), citing requests from Lebanon and allied nations who pointed to Türkiye's prior mission success in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
Gül said stability in Lebanon carries direct importance for Türkiye's own security, given its status as an eastern Mediterranean nation with growing economic, political, and social ties to the region. He also cited the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline as a factor in the decision.
The minister emphasized that Turkish personnel would not serve in a combat role. Their duties, spelled out in the authorizing decree, would cover humanitarian relief, logistical support, and training of Lebanese soldiers. Gül noted that other contributing nations had similarly ruled out involvement in disarmament operations.
Gül also stated that Türkiye, as the leading regional power, seeks a seat on the UN Security Council. He urged the public to back the armed forces once parliament approved the deployment, calling it wrong to create confusion over the mission's clearly defined scope.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.