‘Nations will never accept changes to Jerusalem status’

tunis — Turkey’s president was ending a four-day Africa trip on Wednesday with a visit to Tunisia focusing on economic ties, while the Turkish prime minister was in Riyadh to smooth relations with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a joint news conference, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said their nations would never accept changes to Jerusalem’s historic status after President Donald Trump’s recognition of the city as Israel’s capital.

“Jerusalem is our red line. Any steps against Jerusalem’s historic status and holiness are unacceptable,” Erdogan said, adding that his country will work towards international recognition of the Palestinian state and seek the support of the European Union.

Talking about Syria, Erdogan called Syrian President Bashar Al Assad a terrorist and said it was impossible for Syrian peace efforts to continue with him.

“Assad is definitely a terrorist who has carried out state terrorism,” Erdogan said at a televised news conference with his Tunisian counterpart Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis.

“It is impossible to continue with Assad. How can we embrace the future with a Syrian president who has killed close to a million of his citizens?” he said.

The Turkish leader also vowed to help support Tunisia overcome economic hardships and combat terrorism. Erdogan, who also was attending a Turkish-Tunisian economic forum, was accompanied by a delegation of nine ministers

Jerusalem is our red line. any steps against Jerusalem’s historic status and holiness are unacceptable. Turkey will work towards international recognition of the Palestinian state and seek the support of the european union.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan,

Turkish President

and 200 businessmen. Erdogan earlier visited Sudan and Chad, where he signed military and economic deals.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was paying a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia where he met the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.

The two countries recently have been at odds over regional issues.

Following his accession to power in 2015, King Salman sought to improve relations with Turkey.

The Turkish prime minister’s office said Yildirim and King Salman exchanged views on “regional challenges and problems.” They also emphasised the importance of Jerusalem’s status and the need for the Islamic world to act in unity to protect the rights of Palestinian “brothers.”

Yildirim was also expected to meet Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. — AP, Reuters