ANKARA - Turkey's President Abdullah Gul hosted Wednesday a dinner at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, in honour of his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sulayman.
Speaking during the dinner, Gul said he believed that Sulayman's visit, the first visit on the presidential level between the two countries since 1955, would be a turning point in relations.
Gul said Lebanon quickly recovered from the turmoil of the Israeli offensive in 2006 noting that under the leadership of Sulayman it made major progress in maintaining a lasting peace and stability in the region.
Gul said Turkey's contribution to the UNIFIL, UN Peace Force in Lebanon would continue especially in the areas of education and health services.
In his part, Sulayman said his visit was a sign of their appreciation of Turkey's approach to the issues in the Middle East, and its endeavours for bridging cultures and religions.
He said they saved majority of their territory under Israeli occupation noting that they were determined to save the rest of their occupied territory through legitimate means.