TURKISH PM MEETS WITH HAMAS POLITICAL BUREAU LEADER

Ankara, 4 Dhul Hijja 1434/9 October 2013 (MINA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Khaled Mashal, leader of the Hamas political bureau, in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Tuesday.

The meeting that started at 7pm local time at Erdogan’s official residence, lasted for about 3 hours, and it was closed to media, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, head of National Intelligence Organization Hakan Fidan, Deputy Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry Ibrahim Kalin and Chief Advisor to the Turkish premier Sefer Turan were also present at the meeting.

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It was not immediately clear what issues are on the agenda during the meeting of Hamas leader and the Turkish prime minister.

Last time Erdogan met with Meshaal was on June 18, along with prime minister of government in Hamas, Ismael Haniyeh, for talks on Palestinian reconciliation.

Previous talks focus on reconciling the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, also include Erdogan’s plans to visit Gaza.

Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, following several days of fighting against forces loyal to Fatah.
Erdogan was planning to visit Gaza but it was repeatedly delayed due to several factors, including US request to postpone the trip as well as Israeli-Turkish reconciliation.

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Military coup in Egypt also made it almost impossible for Erdogan to visit Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, currently under the control of Egyptian government. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).