The exiled political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Khaled Mashal, arrived in Ankara Thursday for talks with Turkish leaders, as the group prepares to lead a new Palestinian government.
Turkey maintains close ties with Israel and the Palestinians. It is expected to urge Hamas to meet international demands to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
The United States and the European Union have threatened to halt aid to the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas also agrees to honor previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
Russia, which is a member of the Mideast peace quartet, along with the U.S., the EU and the United Nations, is also urging Hamas to commit to seeking peace with Israel.
A Hamas official says the group has received an invitation for talks with Russian officials in Moscow.
Hamas ousted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party in last month's legislative elections. It is preparing to take over the government Saturday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
