ERDOGAN TO VISIT GAZA ON 5 JULY

Gaza City, 19 Sha’ban 1434/28 June 2013 (MINA) – Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Gaza Strip on 5th July, Abdulsalam Siyam, the secretary of the Gaza government, said.

The website of Palestine newspaper quoted Siyam on Thursday as saying that two Turkish government and media delegations arrived in Gaza in the past two days and discussed preparations for the visit.

He also said that the delegations met with prime Minister Ismail Haneyya and foreign undersecretary Ghazi Hamad to discuss the visit.

Siyam said that both delegations confirmed the date of the visit unless an emergency took place, adding that itinerary of the historic visit would be disused with the visiting delegates over the next two days, Qassam reported as monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

Few months ago, Erdogan promised to visit Gaza despite having to deal with mass protests in Turkey.

A spokesman for the Gaza government quoted Erdogan as making the remarks in a news conference Tuesday in Ankara after meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister.

“Haniyeh discussed with Erdogan the reconciliation file,” a statement from the Gaza government said. “He stressed the strong Turkish-Palestinian relations, and he praised the Turkish role in the Palestinian issue.”

The newly appointed prime minister in Ramallah, Rami Hamdallah, met Turkish consul-general Sakir Torunlar to discuss the latest political updates and the economic situation in Palestine.

Hamdallah called on the international community and the Turkish government to make all efforts to force Israel to stop harassment against Palestinians and commit to international laws and legitimacy.

He called on Israel to respect the Palestinian nation and respect their rights.

The consul general congratulated Hamdallah on his appointment and reiterated Turkey’s continuing support for the Palestinians.(T/P04/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)