Turkey PM: Israel election results paint 'very dark picture'

       Turkey's fierce censure of Israel's offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip will not end its role as a peace mediator in the Middle East, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Friday. Israel's military campaign, which ended in a Jan. 18 truce, triggered protests from its ally Turkey that culminated in shouting match between Erdogan and Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Erdogan, in an interview with Reuters and two Turkish newspapers late on Friday said the results of the Israeli elections this week, showing gains by right-wing parties, had "painted a very dark picture" for the future. Predominantly Muslim but officially secular, NATO member Turkey has a unique position in the region as it has close ties with Israel and Arab countries as well as with Washington. Some diplomats and analysts say Turkey's role as a mediator in the Middle East, and in particular as a neutral negotiator between Israel and Syria, suffered short-term damage because of Erdogan's fierce criticism of Israel and defense of Hamas. (21,31)