Turkey Welcomes Deal Between Palestine's Hamas, Fatah

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Khaled Mashaal, Hamas political bureau chief, on Thursday that he welcomed the reconciliation deal between the two rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah on forming a national unity government, Anadolu Agency reported.



Palestinian factions have signed a deal that aims to end the longstanding schism between rivals Fatah and Hamas. According to the deal, a new government will be formed within weeks with simultaneous presidential and parliamentary polls to follow later this year.



Mashaal called Erdogan and informed him about the deal with Fatah, according to the Turkish Prime Ministry.



Erdogan reportedly told Mashaal that Turkey gives a great importance to the compromise among Palestinian groups and the national unity of Palestinians.



Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also reaffirmed support to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Khaled Mashaal, and Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza Prime Minister over the phone.



Palestine attaches great importance to Turkey's support, according to diplomatic sources.



Turkey deputy PM: Palestinian unity positive for region



The groundbreaking agreement between Palestinian rival movements Fatah and Hamas to form a national unity government will contribute to Middle East peace, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Emrullah Isler said Thursday.



"This agreement will lead to a strengthening of the communication and dialogue between the two sides. I hope it will be long-term," said Isler during an official visit to Kosovo, where he met with Kosovo's prime minister and parliament speaker.



"This conciliation should have happened earlier. For sure it will result positively for Palestinians but also for the entire region. Divisions within Palestine were a serious obstacle to peace," he said.