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Turkey calls urgent UN meeting, deputy PM says

31 May 2010 [17:53] - TODAY.AZ
Turkey's deputy prime minister said Turkey was withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, canceling three joint military exercises and calling on the U.N. Security Council to meet urgently over Israeli action against Gaza aid ships.
Bülent Arınç said Turkey was withdrawing its ambassador on Monday, saying that Israel's actions were equal to "piracy," The Associated Press reported. Israeli commandos raided parts of the flotilla early Monday morning, killing at least 10 passengers. Arınç said about 400 out of 581 passengers on the main aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, are Turks.

"Not only Turkish citizens but the whole world will condemn Israel's bloody attack on peace and humanitarian values," Arınç said in televised remarks Monday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu called on the U.N. Security Council for an urgent meeting.

Arınç also said Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül called Ehud Barak, his Israeli counterpart, and listed the following demands:

- Security and repatriation of Turkish citizens

- Treatment for the wounded

- Return of the ships

"We want to treat the wounded in Turkey and emergency helicopters are ready for the task," Arınç said. "Israel's assault is a sort of piracy in the open sea. Israel should lift the embargo and deliver the aid to the Palestinian people."


/Hurriyet Daily News/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/68988.html

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