Erdogan to garner support for Palestinian state

Turkey's prime minister has voiced strong backing for Palestinian plans to seek UN recognition of an independent state.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Turkey would "mobilize" support to help Palestinians achieve recognition and form their own state. He was addressing reporters after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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Erdogan also said Turkey was prepared to contribute toward Palestinian efforts to form a unity government. "We don't want brothers do shed each other's blood," he noted.

Erdogan and Abbas (Photo: Reuters)

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu this week held separate meetings with Abbas and Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, days after they called off a meeting in Egypt meant to finalize a reconciliation agreement.

Abbas thanked the Turkish government for their "never leaving the Palestinians on their own," and reaffirmed his commitment to Palestinian unity, saying, "there will be no turning back from the road to reconciliation."

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