Turkey welcomed Thursday the announcement of a truce between the Palestinian Authority and Israel aimed at ending five weeks of bloodshed and urged both parties to pursue dialogue to resolve their differences.
"Turkey is extremely pleased with the agreement. Peace can be attained only through negotiations," a Turkish foreign ministry statement said.
"Turkey believes the only option is dialogue and urges both sides to show the necessary political will and show flexibility for this purpose," it added.
Ankara will continue its contribution to efforts for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, the statement said.
Israel and Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority agreed overnight to take steps to restore calm after clashes across the Palestinian territories which have left more than 170 people dead.
Predominantly Muslim but secular Turkey, which has close ties both with Israel and the Palestinians, has repeatedly urged the two sides to stop violence and resume talks -- ANKARA (AFP)
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