Hamas leader grateful to Turkey

Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal defined the public movement called Arab Spring as a turning point in Muslim people’s lives, saying that it would initiate a new era in terms of freedom, reform, democracy and fight against corruption in the region. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Meshaal said that a great many incidents have been occurring in the region as part of the Arab Spring and that now Arab people were rearranging their houses to lay a sound foundation. "We, as Palestinians, are a part of this community. Accordingly, we agree with Arab Muslim societies in their stance towards these incidents."  Meshaal also expressed his gladness over his visit to Turkey, saying that he has discussed with Turkish officials such issues as domestic peace in Palestine, Israel’s attacks against Gaza, its settlement policies in Jerusalem and Western Bank, as well as the pressure put by Israel on Palestinian people. Stating that Palestine will never forget Turkey’s stance on Israeli attacks against Gaza, Meshaal said that it attached great importance to its relations with Turkey, which is quite special for the Palestinian case.