Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan received an enthusiastic welcome in Egypt at the start of a North African tour which will assert Turkey's role as a friend and helper of the popular movements that have toppled long-standing Arab leaders.
Boosted in the eyes of the Arab public by his sparring with Israel, Erdoğan will address the 22-member Arab League and hold talks with the military council steering post-Mubarak Egypt to civilian rule amid rising popular anger against Israel.
"The visit is important," said Mohammed Adel of the April 6 movement of youth activists involved in street protests that saw veteran ruler Hosni Mubarak ousted from office in February.
"We need to preserve our relations with Turkey and all the countries that want to help the Arab world and take advantage of them to create a stronger political front to enhance the Arab states' position against Israel."
Erdoğan, who has clashed with Israeli leaders repeatedly since the Israel war on Gaza began in December 2008, was met by Essam Sharaf, the head of an interim cabinet that answers to the military council, and a rapturous crowd of several thousand.
They clapped and cheered as the two men came from the tarmac at Cairo airport hand-in-hand to greet them on Monday night. Many appeared to be from Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, who see Erdoğan as a role model because of his success in bringing Islamists into mainstream Turkish politics.
"Erdoğan, Erdoğan -- a big welcome from the Brothers!" one large banner said, while others had large photos of Erdoğan with "Turkey-Egypt hand in hand for future" and "Hero Erdoğan" written on them.
"I have come here to say 'thank you' because he says things no man can say," said Hani, a 21-year-old university student.
Erdoğan took a microphone set up for the occasion to address the crowd, saying "Peace be upon you" and "Greetings to the Egyptian youth and people, how are you?" in Arabic.
Erdoğan, who has led his Islamist-leaning Justice and Development Party to three election victories, will also visit Libya and Tunisia, the two other Arab countries where the public have succeeded in removing unpopular rulers this year. STREET HERO, RULER'S NIGHTMARE? But while the Turkish leader has credibility on the Arab street, he could be a headache for U.S.-allied rulers.
Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador in a feud over an Israeli raid last year that killed nine Turks on a flotilla bound for the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Erdoğan told leading pan-Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera this month that the incident was a "cause for war" but said Turkey acted with "patience," according to a transcript of the interview, excerpts of which were broadcast last week.
Egypt's ruling generals, overseeing a transition to democracy after Mubarak's ouster, faced a similar dilemma on how to respond after Israel shot dead several Egyptian soldiers last month in border operations.
The government appeared to fumble in its response to that incident, at first saying it had recalled Egypt's ambassador to Tel Aviv then saying it had not.
Protesters attacked the Israeli embassy in Cairo last week, causing the ambassador to flee the country and prompting an embarrassed government to affirm to Washington, its major aid donor, its commitment to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
Egypt has received billions of dollars in U.S. military and other aid since signing its peace treaty with Israel, so the military council faces a balancing act when responding to public calls for a more assertive policy toward Israel. DIPLOMATIC BACKSEAT Even if Egypt wanted to match Turkey's regional grand-standing, it would be difficult now as the country grapples with deteriorating security, planning for elections, trials of Mubarak and other ancient regime figures, protests and strikes.
Egypt has traditionally seen itself as the leading diplomatic player in the Arab region, but its position has been eroded in recent years as wealthy Gulf countries with small populations such as Qatar increasingly make the running.
A foreign ministry official said there was no rivalry. "The results of Erdoğan's visit will show that Turkey cares about Egypt, just as Egypt is keen to have good relations with Turkey," said Amr Roushdy.
At the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Erdoğan will have a chance to talk with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas on the Palestinian UN statehood bid, which is vehemently opposed by Israel and the United States.
Qatar, which won U.S. praise for its backing of the Libyan rebels who succeeded in toppling Gaddafi last month, has taken a leading role in organizing support for the Palestinian bid.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.