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No Mideast peace unless Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolved: Erdogan

Special No Mideast peace unless Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolved: Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after addressing world leaders during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 19, 2023 in New York City. (AFP)
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Updated 19 September 2023

No Mideast peace unless Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolved: Erdogan

No Mideast peace unless Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolved: Erdogan
  • Turkish president vows to ‘continue to support the Palestinian people’ in their ‘legitimate’ struggle
  • Syria’s humanitarian tragedy worsens ‘the living conditions of everyone in the region’

LONDON: Unless the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is resolved, peace will not prevail in the Middle East, Turkiye’s president told the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to “continue to support the Palestinian people” in “the struggle for their legitimate right under international law.”

He added that “without the realization of an independent and geographically integrated Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, it’s difficult for Israel to find the peace and security it seeks in that part of the world.”

He said Kurdish “terrorist organizations” and sectarian radical groups have “overwhelmed” the Syrian people.  

“The biggest threat to Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity is the support given to terrorist organizations guided by the powers that have designs on this country,” he added.

Syria’s humanitarian tragedy, in its 13th year, worsens “the living conditions of everyone in the region, regardless of their origin and their faith,” Erdogan said, calling for “a comprehensive, lasting and sustainable solution that meets the legitimate expectations of the people.”  

Turkiye is “the only country to take a principled, constructive and fair stance against developments that threaten Syria’s political unity, social integrity and economic well-being,” he said.   

Erdogan also called for a rapid restructuring of the institutions charged with ensuring global security, peace and prosperity, emphasizing that this must be achieved under UN auspices. 

 “We must build a global governance architecture that’s capable of representing all origins, beliefs and cultures in the world,” he said.