Gul: ”Hamas should be part of the Mideast peace process”

President Abdullah Gul yesterday received at the Cankaya Presidential Palace a delegation of teachers and students from the Four Operations Education Center, a primary educational institution in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). During the meeting, Gul reiterated Turkey's firm support for the TRNC in all areas, adding that thanks to this support, Turkish Cypriots would always feel safe. Stressing that Turkey places great importance on the TRNC's development and stability, he assured the Turkish Cypriots that the pains of the past would not be repeated. Gul also spoke at length with the children in the delegation. In related news, speaking to a Saudi daily before traveling to Riyadh for a visit today, Gul said that Hamas should be included in the Middle East peace process. Stressing the importance of the unity of the Palestinians for reaching a lasting peace in the region, Gul also urged Hamas to change its stance on the peace process.