Turkey, UAE urge a permanent ceasefire in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
16 Dec 2023 09:00
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During a phone call between Turkish President Erdogan and his Emirati counterpart, both parties agreed on the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza and the cessation of brutal Israeli attacks on the strip.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center left, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, stand for an honor guard at Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, February 14, 2022. (AP)

In a recent phone conversation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in discussions with United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. The Turkish president's office revealed that both parties deliberated on steps aimed at establishing a sustainable ceasefire in the region.

During the call, Erdogan emphasized the urgency of halting "Israel's" brutal attacks and underscored the importance of resolutely advancing efforts toward a permanent ceasefire. The leaders also tackled Turkey's initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine and explored measures to promote lasting peace in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan highlighted the significance of diligently implementing decisions arising from the joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. He urged a continued commitment to these decisions and the pursuit of international support for Palestine. The statement from Erdogan's office emphasized the need for unity in these efforts to achieve peace in the region.

'Another world, without America'

On Thursday, Erdogan expressed to US President Joe Biden that the United States has a "historic responsibility" in ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a lower tone from one he has adopted recently.

Last week, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, in alignment with its fixed stance that this is not the time for a ceasefire despite the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Strip, claiming that it would only empower the Resistance.

Commenting on the veto, Erdogan slammed the US on Sunday, adding that the UNSC has become an "Israel protection council" in the past two months and that it requires reform.

"The world is bigger than five," he said then, referring to the five permanent UNSC members with veto powers. "The United States stands by Israel with its money and military equipment. Hey, America! How much are you going to pay for that?"

He continued, "Another world is possible, but without America."