Israeli-Turkish naval exercises under way

Naval vessels from Israel and Turkey have completed the first operational phase of controversial joint manoeuvres in the Mediterranean Sea.

Two Turkish and two Israeli ships, accompanied by an American destroyer, conducted search-and-rescue exercises in international waters off the Israeli port of Haifa.

A number of Arab countries -- along with Iran, Russia and Greece -- have condemned the exercises.

The BBC Jerusalem correspondent says Israel, Turkey and Washington are stressing the humanitarian aspects of the exercise.

But she says the manoeuvres are a powerful symbol of a new strategic realignment which Arab and Islamic states are being forced to accept.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service