World Will Recognize Palestine, Says Yildirim

Ankara, MINA – The world will recognize the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its capital soon and “the crisis will be totally resolved,” KUNA reported, citing the Turkish premier.

Binali Yildirim, addressing a convention for the ruling Justice and Development Party, in Edrine, reacted to a decision by US President Donald Trump on December 6, recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel, said “this cannot be realized by de facto. “All Islamic and advanced states which act wisely have united and rejected this arrogant decision.”

In retaliation for Trump’s decision, the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, passed a resolution rebuffing the American move.

“The Islamic and Christian worlds and the whole mankind have defended the Palestinians’ legitimate cause.”

On the visas’ problem between Ankara and Washington, he confirmed that restrictions for granting the visas for Turks and Americans have been mutually lifted, “thus relations have moved forward toward normalization.”

“We have stated that we will not be parties of strifes and bickering and that we will seek to increase our friends and minimize number of our enemies however in case an event occurs that contradicts our national interests we will do whatever is necessary,” Yildirim explained.

His remarks affirmed Ankara’s aspiration to thaw the ties with Washington that have turned icy due to the issue of Fethullah Gullen.

Ankara has urged Washington to extradite Gullen, accusing him of masterminding the 2016 foiled bid to oust the Turkish government.

Gullen has been living in exile in the US for years. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)