The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Ankara

Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday strongly denounced Israel's plan to build new settlements in annexed east Jerusalem and urged the Jewish state to retract the decision.

"Israel's intention to build new settlements in east Jerusalem has shocked the whole worldt The Israeli leadership must correct this," Gul told reporters after talks with visiting King Abdullah II of Jordan. Gul said Israel's plan was "clearly in violation" of decisions made at the Middle East peace conference in Annapolis last month, at which Israel and the Palestinians agreed to try to negotiate a peace deal before the end of 2008. Both parties also pledged to implement the 2003 roadmap plan, the first phase of which calls on Israel to freeze all settlement activity.