Turkish President calls for "unity and solidarity" in Palestine

Islam Times: A presidential statement said Abdullah Gul expressed the need for a reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah at a time when many in the region are "embracing democracy within the framework of the Arab spring."

Gul met with Hamas' exiled leader in Istanbul on Saturday as reconciliation efforts have encountered new obstacles.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said he cannot form an interim government to prepare for elections unless he has Israeli assurances that elections are also held in east Jerusalem.

Mashaal faces internal opposition from Hamas leaders in Gaza who are reluctant to hand over authority to Abbas.

The Turkish President has always shown solidarity with the Turkish cause and his influence led Turkey to be one of the first nations to support the Palestinian cause of becoming a state and has always condemned attacks on Palestine by the Israeli regime.