Turkey’s foreign minister visited Israel to diffuse regional tension over last month’s air strike against Syria.
Ali Babacan arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for 48 hours of high-level talks aimed at calming regional tensions, stirred up by Israel’s attack on an alleged nuclear target.
Babacan first stopped in Damascus, where he assured his hosts that Ankara had no knowledge of the Sept. 6 sortie, though Israel’s warplanes flew over Turkey. Israel and Turkey have strong defense ties and their air forces regularly train together, but Turkey is also mindful of preserving Arab ties.
“Turkey will not let Turkish territory or airspace be used in any activity that could harm the security or safety of Syria,” Babacan said, adding that he hoped to receive “answers and clarifications” about the mysterious air strike while in Israel.
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