Hariri, Erdogan Discuss Strengthening 'Moderation' in Region

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri held talks Wednesday in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the “dangers” that are threatening the Middle East region and means to strengthen moderation, his press office said.

“The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour and a half, tackled the situation in the Middle East. It also focused on the need to unify efforts to deal with the risks threatening the region and strengthen the moderate majority in the Arab and Muslim worlds,” the office said in a statement.

It noted that the talks were held at the Aksaray Turkish presidential palace and that they were attended by the ex-PM's adviser Nader Hariri.

An earlier statement said Hariri arrived in Ankara on Wednesday morning.

Both Turkey and the March 14 coalition, the grouping led by Hariri, are staunch critics of Syrian President Bashar Assad and have called on him to step down.

Hariri, who resides in Riyadh and Paris, last visited Beirut in February.

G.K./Y.R.