Turkish-Palestinian friendship group discuss Palestinian dispute in Tehran

TEHRAN (A.A) – January 2, 2012 - Members of Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Group discussed Palestinian dispute with their Iranian counterparts in Tehran. Murat Yildirim, the head of the group, visited the Iranian capital and first met Hasan Gaffuri Ferd, the head of the Iranian-Palestinian Friendship Group, at the Iranian Parliament. The Turkish delegation later met Alaaddin Boroujerdi, the head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, and Hussein Sheikholeslam, the international adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. Turkish groups discussed not only Turkish-Iranian relations but also Turkish-Iranian cooperation in regional issues. The delegation exchanged views on Palestine dispute, and said Palestine dispute was the common problem of all Islam world and Palestinian people had the right to self-determination and an independent state. Members of the Turkish group said international efforts should be maintained to lift Israeli embargoes on Gaza, and defined Israeli attack on Palestinian people and construction of new settlements in occupied territories as unacceptable. Turkish delegation said Israel's nuclear weapons posed a threat for Middle East and world peace. During their talks, Turkish delegation underlined importance of unity and solidarity among all Palestinian groups. The delegation is expected to meet Ali Larijani; Saeed Jalili, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and secretary of Supreme National Security Council, on Monday.