Turkey’s Erdogan briefs Abbas on deal with Israel

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan Friday called President Mahmoud Abbas to brief him on the agreement he has reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla incident.Erdogan told Abbas that all of Turkey’s demands for reconciliation were met.President Abbas told the Turkish premier that he values his government’s support for the Palestinian cause and the peace process and the fact that Turkish nationals gave their lives on board of the Mavi Marmara in support of the Palestinian cause and the right of Palestinians to live freely and in dignity.Abbas considered all who died on the flotilla as martyrs.Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel following the Israeli navy attack on the flotilla, which was on its way to provide aid to the people of Gaza in light of the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave. Nine Turkish nationals were killed in the Israeli takeover of the ship.Netanyahu called Erdogan and apologized for the incident, which paved the way for return of the ambassadors to their posts.Erdogan had also called Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and informed him of Netanyahu’s apologies and agreement between them, which he said also included lifting the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2006.