Davutoğlu discusses Palestinian unity deal with Clinton, Egypt's Elaraby

Clinton phoned Davutoğlu on Thursday night and exchanged views on the deal reached between Hamas and Fatah. The Turkish foreign minister said he was supporting the process of unity between the Palestinian groups and that it should not be hampered. Davutoğlu and Clinton also discussed a three-point roadmap Turkey announced for political transition in Libya, while Davutoğlu also said the protection of civilians should be a priority in NATO operations and that NATO should continue fulfilling its duties in Libya.

Davutoğlu also spoke with Elaraby over the phone, discussing the Palestinian deal. Hamas and Fatah reached a unity deal on Wednesday to end their five-year-long dispute, but Israel rejected the deal, saying it will not negotiate with a new Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas.

The Palestinians say the move is a step toward independence, ahead of their plans to get the United Nations to recognize Palestinian statehood in September.