Erdogan hosts Abbas, stresses Palestinian unity ahead of Cairo meeting
The Abbas-Erdogan meeting in Turkey indicates increasing regional efforts aiming to convince rival Palestinian groups to advance their dialogue.
ANKARA — Speaking ahead of a key meeting between rival Palestinian factions in Cairo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the importance of Palestinian unity after his meeting with Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Tuesday.
Erdogan said Palestinian unity is key to achieving progress in efforts to revive reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions.
“Reconciliation among our Palestinian brothers is one of the key elements in this process. I told my dear friend that we are ready to give all sorts of support in this regard,” Erdogan told reporters during the joint news conference.
Abbas’ state visit to Turkey comes merely days before a rare meeting between major Palestinian groups including Abbas-led Fatah and Hamas, set to be held in Cairo on Sunday.
