Turkey temporarily stands down in Eastern Mediterranean amid region-wide backlash

Turkish government has attempted to reduce tensions by removing a seismic exploration vessel and its escort ships from an area where the Republic of Cyprus has been drilling for offshore energy.

A passenger ship, with the old city's monuments Blue mosque (L) and Hagia Sophia museum (R) in the background, sets sail in the Bosphorus in Istanbul

A passenger ship, with the old city's monuments Blue mosque (L) and Hagia Sophia museum (R) in the background, sets sail in the Bosphorus in Istanbul

(photo credit: REUTERS)

ByMICHA’EL TANCHUM

FEBRUARY 9, 2015 22:49