Pakistan, Turkiye reiterate support for Iran’s right to self-defence
Turkey says Israel leading Middle East to ‘total disaster’
ISTANBUL: Pakistan and Turkiye on Saturday reiterated their support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
During a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of 51st Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers here, the two leaders agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, urging the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law.
Both sides emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.
The deputy prime minister conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to President Erdogan, and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accorded to its enduring bilateral relations with Turkiye.
Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly cooperation between the two countries.
DPM Dar also congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as successful holding of the OIC CFM session.
Turkey says Israel leading Middle East to ‘total disaster’
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday accused Israel of leading the Middle East towards “total disaster” by attacking Iran on June 13.
Iran and Israel have been at war for nine days after Israel, claiming the Islamic republic was on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes on its arch-rival, triggering an immediate response from Tehran.
“Israel is now leading the region to the brink of total disaster by attacking Iran, our neighbour,” Fidan told a meeting of top diplomats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.
“There is no Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Yemeni or Iranian problem but there is clearly an Israeli problem,” he said.
He called for an end to the “unlimited aggression” against Iran.
“We must prevent the situation from deteriorating into a spiral of violence that would further jeopardise regional and global security,” he added.
Speaking after Fidan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Western leaders of providing “unconditional support” to Israel.
A trenchant critic of Israel’s actions in both Gaza and Iran, Erdogan called for “high-level peace talks” between Tehran and the United States, according to his office, adding that Turkey was ready to play a “facilitator” role to help bring an end to the war.
Tehran, however, has for the time being refused any return to the negotiating table with the United States on its nuclear programme for as long as Israel maintains its attacks on Iran.
Erdogan, who met Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of Saturday’s meeting, said Turkey would not allow borders in the Middle East to be redrawn “in blood”.
“It is vital for us to show more solidarity to end Israel’s banditry — not only in Palestine but also in Syria, in Lebanon and in Iran,” he told the OIC’s 57 member countries.
The OIC, founded in 1969, says its mission is to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”.
According to Qatar’s foreign ministry, Araghchi also met the Gulf state’s top diplomat in Istanbul, who said he was working to bring the sides “back to the path of dialogue”. APP
