Turkey has potential to lead Muslims: Lebanese official

By Mahmut Geldi

BEIRUT

Turkey has the potential to lead Muslims with the cooperation of its “Arab brothers”, according to an official at Lebanon’s highest Sunni Muslim authority.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Khaldoun Oraymet, head of Lebanon’s influential Dar al-Fatwa, said that Lebanon especially appreciated Turkey for its policy of non-sectarianism.

Oraymet said: “Turkey plays an important role through the assistance and services it renders Lebanon.”

“The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has carried out numerous projects in Lebanon, including building hospitals and restoring Ottoman-era monuments,” he added, referring to Turkey's state-run aid agency.

“We call on our Turkish brothers to cooperate with all Arab countries,” Oraymet said.

He went on to assert that Muslims had played an “important role” throughout history, saying: “Muslims have the power to change the global balance and overcome their enemies if they stand together.”