Turkish deputy premier leaves for Qatar for Jerusalem meeting

ANKARA (A.A) - February 26, 2012 - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay on Saturday departed for Qatar's capital, Doha, to participate in the International Conference for Defense of Jerusalem.  "We will discuss in detail in the Doha conference the history of Jerusalem, its legal status within the framework law of states, and violations of rights under Israeli occupation," Atalay told reporters before leaving from Ankara's Esenboga Airport.         Atalay said the purpose of the conference was to raise awareness about Jerusalem, adding "protecting Jerusalem is tantamount to protecting our own history and identity." "Jerusalem is sacred to Islam as much as it is to other religions. Yet, Israel's policy is aimed at denying Jerusalem's thousands-year-old history of Muslims, Christians and Palestinians of the city," Atalay said. The Doha conference is expected to gather politicians, diplomats, scholars, representatives of UN and other international institutions as well as Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious leaders. Qatar Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas, Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby,Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Robert Serry are among the participants of the event.   The conference will end on Monday with a "Doha Declaration."