Turkish FM arrives in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has arrived in Baghdad on an official visit to discuss the growing tension in relations between Iraq and Syria in the aftermath of accusations that Syria is harboring groups believed to be behind a series of blasts that killed and wounded scores of people in the capital Baghdad. After his talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Davutoglu is expected to visit Syria, where he will meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. Davutoglu’s last visit to Iraq was on August 11, 2009, where he accompanied the minister of foreign trade, Kursad Tuzman, to discuss the water issue with Iraqi officials. On Sept. 19, six explosions ripped through government buildings in the Iraqi capital, leaving 82 dead and 1,203 wounded persons, according to official figures. The Iraqi government has summoned its ambassador from Syria and urged the Syrian government to hand over Baathist leaders, whom it said are behind the blasts. SS (P) 1