Severing ties with Israel wrong, says Turkey foreign minister

Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said the problem in Gaza can only be resolved through talks and not through cutting ties with Israel, the Anatolia news agency reported on Saturday.

Cutting ties with Israel "in order to satisfy certain circles or in the name of populism will harm the region," he said.

"We deem it important for the communication channels to remain open. If the problem is to be resolved this will happen through dialogue," Anatolia quoted Babacan as saying.

Iran and Syria have called on all countries to sever their ties with Israel. Qatar and Mauritania decided on Friday to "suspend" their relations with the Jewish state.

Turkey has been active in mediation efforts to end the war and a Turkish delegation has shuttled between Cairo and Syria for talks on a possible ceasefire.