Turkey lashes out at Israel
By: SELCAN HACAOGLU on: 11.01.2010
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's prime minister accused Israel on Monday of threatening peace in the region and using disproportionate force against Palestinians.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Israel to stop violating Lebanon's airspace and territorial waters. He also called on the U.N. Security Council to put same pressure on Israel regarding nuclear arms as it does on Iran.
"We can never remain silent in the face of Israel's attitude. ... It has disproportionate power and it is using that at will while refusing to abide by U.N. resolutions. We can never accept this picture," Erdogan said. "These steps threaten global peace."
He spoke a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Hariri described Israel as an enemy that threatens Lebanon's security.
"Today, Israel continues its violation of our airspace and waters," Hariri said.
Erdogan promised to support Lebanon's case against Israel at the United Nations. Turkey is a temporary member of the Security Council.