Turkey’s Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan announced his country’s support for the Palestinian bid for statehood calling it “not an option but an obligation.” In an address in Cairo, Erdogan criticized Israel for acting irresponsibly and called for change of government in Syria. Erdogan was met with cheers as left the headquarters of the Arab League. He has garnered much support with Arabs, especially for his tough line on Israel.

The Turkish head of state is touring Arab countries in effort to maximize regional influence, and to sell Turkey’s brand of Islam and democracy to the various nations undergoing radical transformation in the Middle East.

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Turkish authorities are working hard to try and fulfill Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s desire to visit Gaza next week (July 24-25) as a sign of defiance for Israel and the US, intelligence sources have revealed. Two obstacles stand in his way though: fear of a murder attempt by Al-Qaeda linked groups in Sinai and the Gaza Strip; and strong objections from PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who sees the trip as de facto Egyptian and Turkish recognition of the Hamas movement. According to sources in Washington, the Obama administration hasn’t yet decided how to respond to Erdogan’s gesture.

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After clinching a landslide victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is ready to work on its major post-election priorities. The party’s most immediate concern includes the immediate formation of a new Cabinet, handling the process of redrafting the Constitution and keeping up with developments in the region, particularly those in North Africa and the Middle East, after an era of strong domestic focus. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan is all set to establish his working team, both within the party and in the Cabinet. He plans to finalize the process of setting up the new government by the first week of July.

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