JERUSALEM - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted Israel to support President of Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.
Erdogan and Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon held a meeting on Sunday.
Erdogan said that a strong understanding should be settled against terrorism, and he wanted Israel to support Abbas.
Sharon, in return, said that terrorism did not completely stop in Palestine, adding that sufficient mutual confidence was not settled. He noted that the safety of Israeli people is a priority, stating that Abbas does not have the strength to stop terrorism completely.
Erdogan said, ''Abbas is a good chance for peace. You should assess this well. If you support him, he would do necessary things. Palestinians, like Israeli people, have the need of security. Peace with Palestine is important not only for Israel but also for the whole world.''
Erdogan praised Sharon and Israeli government for the measures they took against threats of radical Jews to pile thousands of Jews in Al-Aqsa to protest withdrawal plan from Gaza.
Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay, National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Sami Guclu and Industry & Trade Minister Ali Coskun also attended the meeting.