United States told Turkish PM better to delay Gaza trip - Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday the United States had told Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan it would be better for him to delay a planned trip to the Palestinian Gaza Strip expected at the end of May.                           

Erdogan, who has for years spoken of his desire to visit the Palestinian enclave, said last week he would go there after an official visit to the United States next month. Kerry was speaking at a news conference in Istanbul.                           

Earlier on Sunday, Kerry met with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Istanbul, Turkey.                               
Abbas is in Turkey on a two day visit, where he will also meet Turkey's president and prime minister.                            
Kerry is on a 24-hour visit to Istanbul for talks aimed at pushing ahead with Middle East peace efforts and improving ties between Turkey and Israel.                     

American officials say Kerry will use his meeting with the Palestinian president to explore ways to relaunch peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis.


REUTERS/AP