Tuesday 3 August 2010

Ankara summons Israeli ambassador after comments by Barak

[ 03/08/2010 - 04:50 PM ]

ANKARA, (PIC)-- The Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to Ankara after comments by Israeli war minister Ehud Barak, who described Turkey's new intelligence chief as an “aide to Iran.”, a Turkish diplomat said on Tuesday.

The diplomat, who chose to remain anonymous, told the French news agency (AFP) that the ministry notified Ambassador Gabby Levy of Turkey’s resentment over comments by Barak after summoning him on Monday.

The Israeli war minister expressed concern about Turkey appointing Hakan Fidan as the new head of Turkish intelligence services, claiming that he is an “aide to Iran” in a statement broadcasted Sunday on the Israeli army radio.

Barak said late July during an internal meeting for the Labor party, which is headed by him: “Turkey is a friend and strategic ally, but appointing a new head of Turkish intelligence who is an aide to Iran worries us.”

He said that appointing the new official may allow the Iranians to have access to confidential information.

Hakan Fidan was appointed head of the national organization of Turkish intelligence on May 27, 2010.

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