Talking peace moves in Ankara: Israel and Turkey

23/12/08 07:59 CET

world news

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The Israeli and Turkish prime ministers have met in Ankara. Ehud Olmert was keen to thank Turkey for its mediation role in negotiations between his country and Syria. Turkey has been meeting Israeli and Syrian delegations separately since last May in the role of go-between.

Ankara has made it clear it is keen to play a key role in the Middle East peace moves. Israel wants Syria to sever its links with Iran and Hiz’bullah in return for discussion on the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. But Israel’s right-wing is up in arms. Leader Benjamin Netanyahu insists the government has no right to be talking to Syria, even indirectly, and that Israel will never give up the Golan heights. Netanyahu is heavily tipped to win next February’s elections in Israel.More about: Ankara, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert, Israel, Turkey

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