Region reacts to AKP victory in Turkish elections

AFP photo

Official statements from around the region on the results of Turkey's Nov. 1 parliamentary election, mostly those congratulating the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on its electoral victory, have continued.

Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas' political bureau, congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu - the latter of whom leads the AKP - on the poll results, which effectively gave the party a majority in Turkey's parliament. 

In a statement, Hamas said Meshaal had called both Erdo?an and Davuto?lu to convey the Palestinian group's congratulations on Turkey's "democratic" electoral environment.      

Meshaal also expressed hope that the poll results would "contribute to Turkey's development and stability" and "benefit the Palestinian people - in their formidable struggle [against Israeli occupation] - as well as the Turkish people." 

Addis Ababa, too, registered its pleasure with Turkey's election results. Expressing congratulations to the Turkish people, Ethiopian government spokesman Getachew Reda told Anadolu Agency: "Turkey is a very important country for peace worldwide. Stability in Turkey directly impacts peace in the Middle East and Europe." 

Meanwhile in Tunis, Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the Ennahda Party, congratulated both Turkey and AKP leader Davuto?lu, saying, "Today is an important day for the Arab Spring and democracy." According to Ennahda Party sources, Ghannouchi also called Erdo?an to congratulate him on the AKP's victory in the country's 26th general elections.

In Syria, 12 different opposition groups - all of which oppose the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - likewise congratulated Turkey on the poll results. "The AKP's victory...

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