Want political solution, but support Saudi- led ops: Turks
Sharif heads to Turkey for Yemen crisis talks
Turkey wants a political solution to the crisis in Yemen but has offered support to a Saudi- led coalition that has carried out air strikes against Iranianbacked Houthi fighters, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.
Turkey‘ s support for the Saudi- led operation — in words if not action — puts it at odds with Iran. President Tayyip Erdogan last week accused Tehran of seeking to “dominate” West Asia and called on it to stop supporting the Houthis.
“Turkey announced that we can give logistics support and intelligence support ( to the Saudi- led opera- tion), but we are for political solutions,” Mr Cavusoglu told a news conference during a visit to Lithuania.
Turkey, which has the second- largest army in the Nato military alliance, has not taken an active role in the Saudi- led operations. Mr Cavusoglu said no demands had been made of Ankara beyond political support. But he criticised the Shia Houthi militia, who with their allies seized a central district of the southern city of Aden on Thursday. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was Friday in Turkey on a day- long official visit to discuss with Turkish leadership the situation in Yemen and to find ways for a “peaceful resolution of the crisis”.
Mr Sharif ’s visit comes as defence minister denied any decision to summon a joint session of Parliament to discuss Yemen and to send troops to join the Saudi- led coalition.
Adviser to the PM on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, special assistant Tariq Fatemi and secretary, foreign affairs, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry accompanied Mr Sharif.
Mr Sharif held meetings with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit . “The main purpose of his visit is to consult the brotherly Islamic country on the current crisis in West Asia,” a statement from the PM’s House said.
In a pre- departure statement, Mr Sharif said Pakistan believes in peaceful resolution of the crisis and wishes to promote unity among the Muslim Ummah ( nation). He expressed the hope that his sincere efforts will result in promoting harmony and stability in West Asia.