Turkey-Lebanon Relations (updated on 14 November 2007)   Having close cultural and social values, Turkey and Lebanon share a common history going back for centuries.    Turkey attaches great importance to relations with Lebanon and is eager to further develop and diversify them in all fields.   Turkey strongly supports the sovereignty, political unity and independence of Lebanon and believes  that the international community, Lebanese parties and groups and regional countries need to take collective responsibility to help stabilize Lebanon.   Visits   Contacts between Turkish and Lebanese authorities and private sectors have intensified since the visit of late Premier Rafic Hariri in 2004. Following the visit of H.E. Fouad Siniora to Ankara last June, Turkish Foreign Minister Gül visited Beirut on 16 August 2006.   Turkish Prime Minister H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Beirut on January 3, 2007. On this occasion, he had meetings with his counterpart H.E. Siniora, as well as the President of the Republic, the President of the Parliament and other  leaders/officials of Lebanese parties. He also visited the Turkish contingent within UNIFIL in Chatiyeh. This visit has provided the opportunity to exchange views on a number of bilateral issues, developments in Lebanon and in our region.   H.E. Mr. Ali Babacan, Minister of   Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, visited Lebanon on 18-19 October 2007.     The role of Turkish contingent in the UNIFIL   Following the UN Resolution 1701, and the decision of the Turkish Parliament,    an engineering and construction unit assumed its duties on the ground Chatiyeh as of 20 October 2006 upon the request of the Government of Lebanon.     Turkey also takes part in UNIFIL Maritime Task Force, which supports the Lebanese Navy in monitoring its territorial waters, securing the Lebanese coastline and preventing arms smuggling. In this context, Turkish Navy assigns frigates, corvettes supply ships, underway replenishment vessels to the UNIFIL Naval Task Force, in varying numbers in different periods.   In the framework of the UNFIL ground operation, 261 personnel (237 military and 24 civilian officials) have been serving in the Turkish Engineering and Construction Unit. Together with number of Turkish personnel in UNIFIL Maritime Task Force Turkey’s overall contribution to UNIFIL reaches approximately 600.   Turkey also provides personel contribution to UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqura.    Turkey’s contribution to the reconstruction efforts:   During devastating war of July-August 2006  and thereafter, Turkish state and NGOs extended a helping hand, providing some 20 million dollars worth of humanitarian aid. Following the war, Turkey  committed a total of 30 million dollars, through pledges in Stockholm and in Paris conferences,   to contribute to the Lebanese reconstruction efforts.   So far we have built 20 prefabricated schools, in different parts of Lebanon.  Others are in the process of implementation.    H.E. Mr Ali Babacan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended to the opening ceremony of the public school in Srifa on 19 October 2007.     Turkey is also working on a project to construct a specialized hospital in Lebanon, which will serve as rehabilitation and care center to treat and improve life standards of disabled individuals, who have sustained injuries especially due to armed conflicts.   Economic Cooperation   Turkish –Lebanese Economic cooperation is also on the rise.  Business Council meetings are being conducted regularly since 2002 in Beirut and Istanbul.  Trade volume in 2006 was 360 million dollars. It is expected to reach half a billion by the end of this year.   For further information on economic and commercial matters please visit  Commercial Counsellor’s office.