ISTANBUL: Malaysia is ready to help Lebanon rebuild following the conflict that has affected the country, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this could include rebuilding infrastructure and local economies, providing humanitarian assistance, offering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and strengthening defence cooperation to enhance Lebanon's capabilities and resilience.
"Malaysia and Lebanon share a special friendship, particularly through Malaysia's involvement in peacekeeping operations under the Malaysian Battalion (MalBatt) since 2007.
"For nearly two decades, our peacekeepers have played an important role in supporting peace and stability in southern Lebanon," he said here Saturday (Nov 7).
Ahmad Zahid, who is currently in Turkiye for a four-day working visit from Nov 5 to 8 in conjunction with his participation in the TRT World Forum 2026, said he believed Malaysia's commitment to Lebanon would continue beyond the end of the MalBatt peacekeeping mission in January 2027, following the termination of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate at the end of this year.
He said the friendship between the two countries should instead continue through cooperation to help Lebanese rebuild their lives, regain hope for the future and achieve lasting peace.
"Peace is not simply the end of war, but the beginning of efforts to rebuild lives," he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as Rural and Regional Development Minister, earlier met with Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tarek Mitri after the TRT World Forum 2026 at the Istanbul Congress Centre (ICC) on Friday (Nov 6).
Ahmad Zahid also met Developing Eight (D-8) secretary-general Sohail Mahmood to exchange views on ways to enhance cooperation among member states, particularly in tackling economic challenges and global geopolitical uncertainties.
He said the talks also explored the potential of a market comprising more than 1.2 billion people, noting that D-8 had considerable scope to expand trade, investment and strategic ties among member states.
"I also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the halal industry, TVET, food security and the development of small and medium enterprises, including expanding economic opportunities for rural communities.
"I believe the strength of D-8 lies not merely in the size of its market, but in its member countries' ability to translate cooperation into shared prosperity. Malaysia will remain committed to playing an active role in ensuring that this potential is harnessed for the benefit of its people. Insya-Allah," he said.
Established in 1997, D-8 aims to promote economic cooperation among eight developing countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Turkiye, Egypt and Nigeria.
Ahmad Zahid said both meetings reflected Malaysia's commitment to active and constructive international engagement, with continued emphasis on dialogue, mutual understanding and practical cooperation in support of peace and shared prosperity. - Bernama
