Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal touted Turkey as a “source of power” for Muslims on Saturday, praising Turkey for supporting the Palestinian cause.
“A democratic, stable and developed Turkey is a source of power for all Muslims,” Mr. Meshaal said in an address to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s annual congress in the the conservative central Anatolian city of Konya, the Agence France Presse reported Saturday.
Mr. Meshaal added that a “strong Turkey means a strong Jerusalem, a strong Palestine,” and called for liberation for Palestine and Jerusalem.
Crowds in the hallway cheered “Allahu Akbar [God is greatest]” and “Down with Israel” during Mr. Meshaal’s speech.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey’s flag, a crescent with a star on a red field, was a “symbol of the innocent in the world,” AFP reported.
“God is witness … we will make this red flag a symbol of the innocent. This red flag will fly side by side with the flags of Palestine, free Syria and all other innocents’ flags anywhere in the world,” he said, AFP reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is known for his support of Palestine and outbursts against Israel, and has blasted Israel over it’s military retaliations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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