JERUSALEM, July 13 (News Agencies) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to visit Turkey in early August, an official Israeli source said Friday.
Sharon intends to explain his government's position on the Middle East conflict to Turkish officials, the source added.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Ankara told AFP Thursday that the visit would take place on August 7-8, while Israeli Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz is expected in the Turkish capital on July 31st.
Their visits follow Monday's talks in Ankara of Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer, who discussed with Turkish officials deeper cooperation in the military and defence industry fields.
He had then accused Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of doing nothing to stop anti-Israeli attacks.
Mainly Muslim, but strictly secular, Turkey has been Israel's chief regional ally since 1996 when the two signed a military cooperation accord much to the anger of most Arab countries and Iran.
Despite its close relations with Israel, Turkey has heavily criticized the Jewish state for using excessive force against the Palestinians, with whom it maintains full-fledged diplomatic ties.
