Turkey stands with Saudi against JASTA

Turkey supports Saudi Arabia against the US’ recently approved Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) which it said “threatens sovereignty of states”, Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said yesterday.

Saudi analysts and writers hailed Erdogan’s stance, describing it as “courageous” and “honourable.” They also said that Erdogan’s remarks are good foundations for building a “strong Islamic alliance to face diplomatic, economic, security and military crises.”

Last Wednesday, the American Senates and Congress overwhelmingly voted to cancel American President Barack Obama’s veto against JASTA, which allows victims of September 11 to prosecute Saudi Arabia.

Saudi refused blame for the terror attacks and threatened to withdraw its financial reserves and investments from the US.

“We have expressed regret in connection with the adoption of this law by the US Congress,” Erdogan said in an interview with Rotana TV channel on Sunday.

“We will take appropriate steps within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which Turkey currently presides over,” he added.

He also stated that he had “instructed the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of justice to support Saudi Arabia, so as to correct this big mistake.”