ANKARA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and Lebanese leaders hit out at Israel on Monday, accusing the Jewish state of threatening peace and calling for international pressure on its possession of nuclear weapons.
The international community should warn Israel about its nuclear arsenal as it did with Iran to show a fair approach in tackling nuclear threats in the Middle East, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a joint press conference with visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
An unfair approach could cause problems in the region and spread instability to the world, said Erdogan, noting Turkey does not want any country in the region to possess nuclear weapons, be it Iran or Israel.
He accused Israel of violating Palestinian airspace and territorial waters, slashing Israel's recent air strikes on the Gaza Strip that followed a wave of rocket attacks by Gaza militant groups at Israeli communities in the vicinity of the Hamas-ruled enclave.
"It (Israel) owns and is using disproportionate power. It is violating United Nations resolutions and is comfortable with that," said Erdogan.
Turkey has frequently criticized Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip in December 2008 and Israeli military operations against Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah during a 34-day war in 2006.
Hariri, who is on a three-day visit to Turkey, said Israel was a country threatening Lebanon's security.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on Monday morning fired anti-aircraft artillery at Israeli warplanes flying over Lebanon's airspace, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Erdogan said Israel has ignored and violated over 100 UN resolutions, including UN security council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, and undermined the credibility of the UN.
Lebanon accuses Israel of intruding its airspace on a daily basis, a violation of the resolution.
Hariri said he appreciated Turkey's support for Lebanon's security and stability, noting that his country saw Turkey as a partner in building regional security and prosperity.
Turkey's support for the Palestinian people is important and should maintain its positive role in the region, the Lebanese president told reporters.
Turkey and Lebanon have signed six agreements, including deals to lift entry visas and expand military cooperation, during Hariri's visit, Erdogan told the press conference.
Other agreements covered the areas of health, agriculture, transportation and education, said the prime minister.
Hariri arrived in Turkey on Sunday and will wrap up his visit on Tuesday.
