[26 February 2008]

ANKARA, Feb. 26 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that Yemen would back the Turkish moves to get a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

President Saleh pointed out that Turkey's permanent membership on the UN Security Council would represent all Islamic countries at the international body.

In a press conference held by President Saleh and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara, Saleh said that his talks with his Turkish counterpart dealt with aspects of cooperation ties between the two countries in areas such as culture and investment.

Furthermore, the two presidents discussed the latest developments in the Middle East region topped by the Palestinian case and the blockade Israel imposing on the Strip of Gaza.

President Saleh said that his Turkish counterpart stressed the Turkish firm stance towards the Palestinian case and the unity of Palestinian territories and that Turkey bolsters the Arab Initiative to solve the Lebanese presidential crisis.

For his part, Gul said that the bilateral talks with President Saleh centered on the key issues of mutual concern at the regional and international levels.

He stressed Yemen and Turkey would still work together to serve the interests of the two countries people.

Gul thanked the Yemeni leadership for care they pay to Turkish companies working in Yemen, pointing he and President Saleh agreed to coordinate and cooperation in all fields.

FR/YA

Saba