JERUSALEM, May 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Israel Sunday for a tie-mending visit, saying the muslim country was ready to assist Mideast peace efforts.

   "Turkey was always committed to peace and always will be committed to peace and security in the region," Erdogan said upon his arrival in Israel for the first time.

   The visit is being viewed by Israel as a return to "business as usual" between the two countries following a period of tension, media reports said.

   "In our meetings with the sides, we will remind (them of) our readiness for a possible go-between role or to host conferences in our country," Erdogan said in Ankara before his departure for Israel. 

   "I hope our contacts will help carry our relations with both Palestine and Israel to new frontiers," he said.

   Relations between Israel and Turkey were strained last year after Erdogan called Israel's assassination of Hamas heads "state terror." 

   "Our good relations with Israel do not preclude us from making frank criticism," Erdogan has said, adding "my visit will hopefully provide a new impetus to our relationship." 

   Erdogan met with President Moshe Katsav on Sunday. He was due to meet with his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon and other political figures later in the day.

   On Monday, Erdogan will hold talks with Palestinian National Authority officials in the West Bank city of Ramallah after visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Enditem