Chairman of Islamic Council Hakeem arrives in Turkey

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com:  Higher Islamic Council sources said today that Ammar al-Hakeem arrived in Turkey to discuss the relations between the two countries and the latest circumstances in the region, at a time that bilateral relations have been witnessing tensions. Chairman of the Council Hakeem will meet a number of Turkish officials to discuss regional issues, close sources added. The visit comes with the increase of sectarian accusations between the Iraqi and Turkish premiers, which “reached a tense situation in the last few hours”. The sources added that Hakeem will hold talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and   Premier Receb Tayyib Erdogan. Turkish Premier Erdogan stated on Tuesday that Turkey will not keep silent if Baghdad supported a sectarian strife in Iraq, as quoted by AFP news agency. Iraqi officials fiercely responded against the Turkish statements, describing them as “sectarian calls and avowed intervention in Iraqi internal affairs”. Earlier today news was reported that President Talabani received a phone call from Turkish President Gul to discuss relations between both countries.