LOC20:23
17:23 GMT
ANKARA, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Turkey urged Israel on Monday to release speaker
of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Aziz Duwaik and two other PLC
members, denouncing their arrests which took place yesterday and today.
The arrest of Duwaik, MPs Mohammad Taffash and Mohammad Totah is in
violation of international principles that stipulate protection of lawmakers,
the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Israeli action raises doubts over the Jewish state's commitment with
the peace process, it added.
While the international community seeks resumption of the peace talks
between the Israelis and Palestinians, it said, the Israeli authorities abort
these efforts with such arrests.
"Turkey expects the release of the representatives of the Palestinian
people as soon as possible," it said.
Duwaik and Taffash, both Hamas MPs, were arrested in Ramallah yesterday.
Totah was arrested from the red cross office in occupied Jerusalem. (end)
mm.bs
KUNA 232023 Jan 12NNNN