UPDATE Turkish foreign minister discusses Palestine recognition, Gaza aid with Saudi, Omani, Qatari counterparts

UPDATES WITH PHONE CALL WITH QATARI FOREIGN MINISTER; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; OTHER EDITS

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz and Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday held separate phone calls with his Saudi, Omani and Qatari counterparts to discuss an upcoming meeting on the recognition of the state of Palestine and ongoing humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza.

According to diplomatic sources, Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan reviewed preparations for a Sept. 22 meeting in New York on the recognition of Palestine and assessed efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Fidan on Tuesday also held a phone call with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi to discuss efforts for recognition of the state of Palestine as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During the conversation, Fidan and Al-Busaidi also exchanged views on bilateral relations.

The two addressed joint efforts for Palestine’s recognition and discussed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Following these phone calls, Fidan also spoke to Qatar’s foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on joint efforts to boost recognition of the state of Palestine and the latest developments towards reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.