Clout and politics behind Turkish diplomacy over Gaza

By Ibon Villelabeitia

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's frenetic diplomacy to win a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas reflects its new-found clout in the Middle East and is also driven to appease a public opinion infuriated by the mounting death toll of civilians.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but secular country with good ties with Israel, has been playing a busy role in trying to bridge Arab division and broker a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel began its offensive 12 days ago, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has visited Arab leaders in Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. He has kept in touch with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and has sent his foreign minister to the United Nations, where Turkey starts a two-year term as member of the Security Council.

Drawing on Ankara's unique range of contacts, Turkish officials have also met Hamas leaders in Damascus. Ankara has offered to convey any Hamas cease-fire proposal to the U.N.

As hundreds of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets to condemn the Israeli assault, Erdogan shocked close ally Israel by dubbing its operations "a crime against humanity," in language that paled even to that used by Arab leaders.

Ankara's diplomatic offensive is in line with its growing regional diplomatic status and closer ties to the Middle East since Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AK Party took office in 2002.

But it also underlines its delicate balancing act. A NATO member which aspires to join the European Union, Muslim Turkey has positioned itself as a mediator in a tough neighbourhood.

"Turkey has leverage in the Middle East because of its growing ties with Arab countries and its relationship with Israel, but it cannot redefine the power game in the region," said Fadi Hakura, from the London-based Chatham House.