Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday harshly criticised Israeli expansion plans by building new homes in occupied east Jerusalem describing the move as a 'clear violation' of decisions made at talks last month aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process.

'News of the planned new settlements in east Jerusalem have shocked the world because it is a very clear and obvious violation of the decisions taken at Annapolis,' Gul told reporters in Ankara at a press conference with Jordan's King Abdullah.

'I'm hoping that the leadership of Israel will take a step back and correct this and that it will not allow any group to take any action that could be detrimental to the peace process,' Gul said.

King Abdullah said both sides in the Middle East dispute needed to abide by agreements to keep the peace process on track.

'What we need to do now is to ensure there is no pushing of the envelope and that the United States hold both parties accountable for what is expected of them over the coming months,' Abdullah said.

King Abdullah and Gul had earlier discussed several regional issues and both expressed their total support for the territorial integrity of Iraq.

Abdullah was scheduled to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Tuesday.


Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 11 Aralık 2007, 18:15