Erdogan blasts US 'double standards' in Mideast

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday accused the United States of double standards in the Middle East, but insisted that Washington remained a "lasting friend" of his country.

"Breaking away from the West or the East is neither possible nor right for Turkey. This is an undeniable fact that history has shown," Erdogan told deputies of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in parliament. "The country that can comprehend best Turkey's mission and importance is our lasting friend, the United States," he said. (AFP)