PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Istanbul for a two-day working visit to Turkey, where he is scheduled to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later today.

Anwar landed at Istanbul Grand Airport at 10.45pm local time (3.45am Sunday, Malaysian time).

He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir and Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

The prime minister was received by Malaysian ambassador to Turkey Sazali Mustafa Kamal, minister counsellors from the Malaysian embassy in Ankara Clara Soon May Lynn and Ahmad Hashim Mahmood, and Malaysian Defence Attache Colonel Mohd Edafi Daud. 

Receiving the officials from the Turkish side were Istanbul’s Deputy Governor Şevket Atlı, Commander of the Gendarmerie General Command Colonel Mesut Maden and Foreign Ministry Head of Department for Istanbul Office Mehmet Zait Uzun.

Among the topics the two leaders will discuss is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The recent clashes in the Middle East involving Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, and the Israeli regime have resulted in thousands of lives lost on both sides since October 7.

After his meeting with President Erdogan, Anwar is scheduled to proceed to Cairo, Egypt where he will discuss the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow the channelling of food, water and medicines to Palestine with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Rafah crossing is located at the border of Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

Wisma Putra, in a statement, said the official visits to Turkey and Egypt reflect Malaysia’s undivided commitment towards the Palestinian cause, especially in reducing the suffering faced by Palestinians as a result of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Anwar yesterday concluded his two-day working visit to Riyadh, where he attended the Asean-GCC Summit, which was held for the first time since the two regional blocs established relations in 1990. – Bernama, October 22, 2023.