ISTANBUL (AA) - The ceremonies held in Turkish capital Ankara to welcome Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on return from his Africa visits had a broad repercussion in Arab press on Monday.
Arab newspapers described the ceremonies held on Sunday to welcome Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan returning to Turkey from his Africa visits as "a response to Gezi Park protests", highlighting Erdogan's call on his supporters to give the answer at the elections in 2014.
London's Asharq Alawsat newspaper headlined "Erdogan: Patience has limits," mentioning Erdogan responded to those protestors demanding his resignation, with the power of thousands welcoming him at the airport on his return from three-day visit abroad. The newspaper also stressed Erdogan's popularity in the public eye, pointing the mass taking the roads to the airport and waiting for hours.
Another London based newspaper Al-Hayat published "Erdogan gathers the opposite street: We are patient but our patience has its limits," underscoring the slogan "We would die for you Tayyip" shouted by those gathering to welcome Erdogan.
United Arab Emirates newspapers Al-Ittihad, As-Siyasah and Al-Qabes gave the welcoming ceremonies as "Erdogan challenging via polls in 2014."
Saudi Arabian newspapers used headlines touching upon "Erdogan's popularity and his warnings to the protestors."
The Egypt based Al-Quds Al Arabiya newspaper cited foreign news agencies as "Erdogan warns protestors of his limited patience."
Egyptian columnist Fahmy Howeidy assessed the issue in his article titled "Israel prays for Taksim protestors," sharing his views on the incidents.
In the Egyptian newspaper Ash-Shuruq, Howeidy quoted Israel's Knesset Speaker Moshe Feiglin's remarks on a program on the Israeli Radio on June 5 as saying "We pray for the protests to continue until Erdogan falls. Because he is an enemy of Israel as an anti-semitic. He takes a hostile stance towards us. However we previously agreed with him resulting with an official apology."
Howeidy also cited Israeli Parliament Knesset's Head of Foreign Relations and Security Commission Avigdor Lieberman's television remarks on June 7 as "We do not intend to interfere in Turkish internal affairs but I could not hide my pleasure upon the protests for Taksim Gezi Park."
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