ANKARA - Turkey and Lebanon on Monday signed an accord on cooperation against terrorism, drug-trafficking and organised crime, Anatolia news agency reported.

The deal, details of which were not disclosed, was inked after talks between prime ministers Fuad Siniora of Lebanon and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

Siniora thanked Ankara for its recently intensified efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts in the Middle East.

"Turkey has a very important role to play in the Middle East. Turkey is already doing that by encouraging cooperation in the region," Anatolia quoted him as saying.

Erdogan, for his part, hailed reconciliation efforts between Lebanon and Syria.

"The steps to be taken in Syrian-Lebanese relations are very important," he said. "We welcome their decision to establish diplomatic ties."

Last month, Syria and Lebanon announced establishment of diplomatic ties for the first time since they became independent 60 years ago. The two neighbours are set to open embassies in each other's capitals before the end of the year.

Since May, Turkey has mediated indirect peace talks between Israel, its chief regional ally, and Syria. Ankara has expressed hope that progress in the talks may also help the initiation of peace efforts between Israel and Lebanon.

Turkey also has a military contingent in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which was enhanced and expanded after Israel's devastating 34-day war on Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon in 2006.

Siniora was to wrap up his visit Tuesday.