Turkey welcomes Palestinian unity government and plans official visit

The Turkish presidential office has welcomed the formation of a Palestinian national consensus government in Ramallah in the West Bank.

A senior adviser to Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in an exclusive statement to Alresalah.net on Monday that the unity government’s formation is a major victory for the Palestinians and it promotes the Palestinian issue in all international forums.

Arshad Hormozlo revealed that Turkish officials intend to visit the Palestinian territories in the coming period, but he did not specify an exact date for the future visit.

He stressed that Turkey wholeheartedly supports Palestinian unity; what pleases the Palestinians, pleases the Turkish leadership, he said.

He also pointed out that his country has always supported the Palestinians and it will continue to support the new government.

“We will not abandon our duty of supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” Hormozlo added.

He expressed his backing for visits by Turks in general to the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasising the need to strengthen all means of cooperation with the Palestinians.

The new Palestinian cabinet’s ministers were sworn in on Monday before Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Report by Mahmoud Haniya for Al-Resalah