Prime minister of Lebanon talks with Turkish president

Beirut, February 21 (RHC)-- Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati discussed with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the repercussions of the devastating earthquakes that struck southeastern Lebanon two weeks ago.

During a telephone conversation, the Turkish leader expressed his condolences for the Lebanese victims of the earthquakes and thanked the Levantine nation for its support in the rescue operations.  Mikati also offered condolences to Erdogan for those who died in the earthquakes and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, the press office of the head of the Lebanese government said.

The Lebanese leader conveyed a message of solidarity and affection to the Turkish people and hoped for a quick return to normality in light of the suffering caused by the catastrophe.

Members of the Army Engineering Regiment, personnel of the Civil Defense and the Lebanese Red Cross provided their services in rescue actions and comprehensive field studies at the site of the earthquakes.

Yesterday, Turkey announced the cessation of efforts to search for survivors in all areas hit by the February 6 earthquakes, with the exception of the most damaged states of Kahramanmaras and Hatay.

So far, the death toll has exceeded 41,000 people, while aftershocks continue, already amounting to more than 6,000 in the Turkish-Syrian border area.