Thousands welcome Turkish PM in Istanbul on his return from Davos
Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport to welcome
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on his return from Davos early on
Friday. (UPDATED)
Hurriyet (Turkey) 30 January 2009
www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/10888239.asp?gid=244

Erdogan had stormed out of an angry debate on the Gaza war with Israel's
President Shimon Peres at the Davos forum on Thursday. Erdogan said his
reaction targeted the moderator who, he said, did not give him floor to
speak.

Turkey harshly criticized Israel over its Gaza operation which left more
than 1,300 people killed.

People chanted slogans and carried banners read as "The Leader of the
World", "Turkey is proud of you," in a bid to extent support to Erdogan's
reaction. The crowd carried Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Erdogan's plane has landed in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. He addressed the
crowd and held a press conference after his arrival.

Istanbul Mayor, Kadir Topbas from Erdogan's Islamist-rooted Justice and
Development Party (AKP), arrived in the airport to extent his backing to the
prime minister.

The road in front of Erdogan's residence in Istanbul was covered with red
carnations.

The Istanbul Municipality had extended the operation hours of underground
until 3.00 a.m. and the line to the airport is free for the passengers.