Turkish FM talks to Hamas chief, Palestinian counterpart
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu spoke over the phone with senior Palestinian officials late on Oct. 13 following the recent political reconciliation effort in Cairo.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Çavuşoğlu spoke with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.
"We share great happiness and feel rightful pride in seeing our Palestinian brothers/sisters embracing each other," minister said.
He reaffirmed Turkey's support, especially as the current chair of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
"I've underlined the importance of continuing the process as it is, without wasting any time and [urge them to] reach a conclusion," Çavuşoğlu also said reconciliation in Palestine was necessary for "defending the rights of the Palestinians at international platforms".
On Oct. 12, Hamas and Fatah signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in Egyptian capital Cairo aimed at ending 10 years of deep inter-Palestinian political division.
Under the deal, the Ramallah-based Palestinian unity government will assume political and administrative responsibility for the Gaza Strip no later than Dec. 1.
The West Bank and the Gaza Strip have remained politically and administratively divided since 2007, when Hamas wrested control of the strip from Fatah following several days of bloody street fighting.