Biden urges Turkey to impose new sanctions on Iran

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called on Turkey to impose new sanctions against Iran, while praising Ankara for its role in pressuring Syria to stop its bloody crackdown on protesters.    

Biden told the Turkish daily Hurriyet: "We look forward to the broadening of international sanctions as a means to bring about change in Syria."       

Biden also urged Ankara to adopt further sanctions against Iran, which the West suspects is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.        

On Friday, Biden met President Abdullah Gul and Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek but was not expected to meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is recovering from a surgery.         

Biden also said that the United States "will continue to work with Turkey on pursuing shared interests in the Middle East and North Africa."                         

Biden was also expected to encourage Turkey to repair ties with its formerly close ally Israel. As a long-serving member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden cemented his reputation as an unyielding supporter of Israel, winning the respect of many in the Jewish community.