ANKARA - Turkey will never tolerate terrorism, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday.
Gul left for Beirut, Lebanon, to have several official meetings.
Asked about the attack on Van Governor Hikmet Tan and escalating terrorist activities in the Southeast Anatolia, Gul said, ''there is panic within the terrorist organization. This demonstrates that they are in a difficult situation. By the way, Turkey will never tolerate terrorism, and fight against it till the very end. Terrorism is a calamity not only for Turkey but also for the international community. International solidarity is important to fight terrorism.''
Informing journalists about his visits in Lebanon, Gul said he was invited by his Lebanese counterpart Jean Obeid adding that he would also meet Lebanese President Emile Lahud and Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
Gul said relations with Lebanon were developed particularly in recent months.
He said this would be the first visit from Turkey to Lebanon in foreign ministers level after 21 years and recalled that Lebanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had visited Turkey in April and May, respectively.
Stressing that bilateral relations between Turkey and Lebanon were improving, Gul said important steps were taken by both countries to strengthen peace, order and economic cooperation in the region.
Gul said nearly 15 businessmen from Turkish-Lebanese Business Council would be in the delegation accompanying him.
(AY-ULG) 02.07.2004