Ankara - The United states on Thursday welcomed Turkey's commitment to peace in the Middle East saying that the country had a "unique role" to play in the region said George Mitchell, the US special envoy for the Middle East.

"Turkey is a crucial ally of the United States and an important force for the peace and security in the Middle East," Mitchell said in Ankara after talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Amsterdam  - At least nine people were killed and more than 80 injured, 31 of them seriously, when a Turkish Airlines plane crashed near Schiphol airport just before landing on Wednesday.

Flight TK 1951 had 134 people on board, comprising 127 passengers and seven crew, and crashed on its approach to the airport at 10.31 am (0931), a press conference at the airport was told.

Three of the dead were the pilot, co-pilot and a trainee pilot of the Boeing 737-800, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed later in Ankara.

Amsterdam - One of the survivors of the Turkish Airlines c

Istanbul - Turkish Airlines and Transportation Minister Binal

Ankara  - Israeli prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu should recognize Palestine as a state if Israel genuinely wants lasting peace in the Middle East, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday night.

Keeping up his fierce criticism of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, Erdogan said the only solution to the problem is for Hamas to be brought to the negotiating table.

Ankara - Iran has asked Turkey to play a role in bringing Tehran and Washington together to discuss mutual concerns, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday night.

"We have said this before: we are ready. Iran wants us to play a role," Erdogan said in a panel interview including Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa during a flight to Ankara, after local election campaigning in the south-eastern city of Mardin.