Turkish president urges Israel to embrace two-state solution

LONDON (A.A) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Wednesday called on Israel to take solid steps for a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians. "Israel should display a sincere approach to the two-state solution. Otherwise, it would risk taking more crowds as bigger enemies," Gul told reporters after delivering a speech in a conference at the Wilton Park, a London-based think-tank. Gul pays a state visit to the British capital.  Gul said Israel's "sincerity" in the peace process which he said was evident in the Jewish state insistence to build new settlements on the Palestinian territories. "There is a silent rage that is growing. And Israel should act strategically and accept borders set out in 1967," Gul said.    "Israel should also know that it puts its allies in the world in a difficult position by pursuing these policies," he said.         -Iran's nuclear program- Responding to a question whether Turkey could bridge the gap between Iran and the West in the controversy over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Gul said Turkey favored a diplomatic solution to the dispute, adding that Ankara was exerting efforts to secure such a settlement through peaceful channels.   "Significant progress can be made if Iran's approach were more transparent and convincing, and if the West acted sincerely," Gul said.     -Sectarian tensions in the region- Asked about sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the region and the situation in Turkey, Gul said his country was exempt from housing such a conflict of religious sects. "Turkey is out of that discussion. Turkey is a country that fosters European democratic values, legal standards and freedoms to become an EU member. There are differences in Turkey - different tendencies if you like - and none of those groups are subjected to any form of discrimination in expressing their views and living freely," Gul said.