Abbas calls for quick dispatch of aid to Gaza

Mahmoud AbbasAnkara - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed for the quick dispatch of aid to people suffering in the Gaza Strip saying that Israel was holding up the vast majority of aid sent to the region.

Speaking after talks in Ankara with President Abdullah Gul, Abbas asked rhetorically what will the world do if Israel refuses to allow aid into the devastated region.

"We want the Palestinian people to be allowed to live an honourable way, just like the rest of the world," Abbas said with Gul agreeing.

"The most urgent thing is for the embargo to be lifted and for all aid to be allowed into Gaza," Gul said.

Both Gul and Abbas expressed their desire for reconciliation between his Abbas' Al Fatah movement and Hamas and for the formation of a unity government.

"It is not possible to have two Palestinian states," Gul said. "It is time for unity."

Abbas thanked Gul for Turkey's peace efforts during Israel's military operations in Gaza, saying that Turkey has always been a supporter of peace and of the Palestinian people. (dpa)

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