Erdogan - Haniyeh talks: 'Turkey aims to position itself as a mediator in the conflict' Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh began talks in Istanbul on Saturday as tensions in the Middle East soar, Turkish media reported. "It is quite likely that Turkey aims to position itself as a mediator in the conflict and perhaps take over Qatar's role," said Selin Nasi, visiting fellow at the London School of Economics.