BBC: Turkey's prime minister has stormed off the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos after a heated debate on Gaza with Israel's president.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan clashed with Shimon Peres, whose voice had risen as he made an impassioned defence of Israel's actions, jabbing his finger.
Mr Erdogan said Mr Peres had spoken so loudly to conceal his "guilt".
He accused the moderator of not allowing him to speak and said he did not think he would return to Davos.
The Turkish PM stressed later that he had left the debate not because of his disagreements with Mr Peres but because he had been given much less time to speak than the Israeli leader.
Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries to have dealings with Israel, but relations have been under strain since the Islamist-rooted AK Party was elected to power in 2002. >>> | Thursday, January 29, 2009
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Erdogan quitte Davos et rentre en héros en Turquie
Le premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a été fêté en héros à son retour dans son pays après son éclat face au président israélien Shimon Peres lors du WEF.
Les manifestants brandissaient des drapeaux turcs et palestiniens, ainsi que des banderoles proclamant: "Bienvenue, conquérant de Davos" ou "Monde, regarde notre premier ministre". Des slogans anti-israéliens ont également été scandés. L'incident avait éclaté lors d'un débat extrêmement tendu sur Gaza. Dernier orateur à prendre la parole, M. Peres a défendu la politique de son pays avec une rare véhémence, criant par moments dans son micro. >>> ATS | Vendredi 30 Janvier 2009
YAHOO! NEWS: Turkish PM Returns to Hero's Welcome after Gaza Row
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan received a hero's welcome on his return to Istanbul on Friday after accusing Israel of "knowing very well how to kill" during a heated debate at the World Economic Forum.
Erdogan stormed out of a debate on Israel's Gaza offensive on Thursday, and vowed he might never return to the annual gathering of the rich and powerful in Davos.
President Shimon Peres had launched a fiery defense of his country's offensive in Gaza over the past month, and with a raised voice and pointed finger, questioned what Erdogan would do if rockets were fired at Istanbul every night.
"When it comes to killing, you know very well how to kill," Erdogan, visibly angry, responded as he sat next to Peres at the debate, which also included United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Arab League chief Amr Moussa. >>> By Paul de Bendern | Friday, January 30, 2009
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