Ankara, Turkey - Turkey will increase the number of its diplomatic representations in Africa, Prime Minister Recep Tayyeb Erdogan said at the opening of the summit of African and Turkish Muslim leaders in Istanbul, sources told PANA here Wednesday.
In 2008, the African Union (AU) designated Turkey as Africa's strategic partner, the PM said.

"In 2009, we had 12 embassies in Africa, we intend to open 34 embassies in 2013, our objective being to have a representation in every African country," Mr. Erdogan said, stressing that "it is his country's responsibility to play its role in the friendship ties between the two parties."

The meeting, the second of its kind after that of 2006, was initiated by the Turkish department of religious affairs and will discuss ties between Turkey and the African continent.

"Consultations are very important because they help take sustainable solutions to problems," said the Turkish PM, who also highlighted the situation in Somalia, which he visited in August, lamenting the war situation there.

"Muslims are slaughtered by Muslims. This is unacceptable. Fighting to death for power and the other Muslim brothers watch without taking action. There is no compassion among Muslims," the head of the Turkish government said.

Erdogan reaffirmed his country's willingness to support Tunisia and Egypt and described the situation in Libya as an attempt to monopolize the country's riches.

The Turkish PM said religious leaders had important roles to play in the settling of the various problems on the African continent.

More than 150 African Muslim leaders from about 50 countries are attending the meeting which will end 25 November.

Pana 24/11/2011