Anadolu Agency moves Middle East HQ to East Jerusalem

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency’s Middle East Department Editorship headquarters has been moved to East Jerusalem from Lebanese capital Beirut, the agency announced on Thursday.

Anadolu Agency decided to move the center of the Middle East News Desk to Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem after recent developments as it pursues its activities within the vision of being one of the most influential news agencies in the world.

The agency will continue to strengthen its Middle East operations in 2018, which will be directed from the holy city, the region's most important political and religious center.

The Middle East News Department Editorship -- working under the International News Department -- is broadcasting stories from offices in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.

The holy city centered on the Middle East’s agenda when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, increasing the tension in the region, and when the Islamic Cooperation Organization's (OIC) adopted East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.