Iraqi PM apologizes for not being able to visit Turkey

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki telephoned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and apologized for not being able to come to Ankara on Monday due to a strong sand storm, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

The report said that al-Maliki thanked Erdogan for his support to the Iraqi people and stressed that he would visit Ankara as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Erdogan informed al-Maliki that he can visit Ankara any time after the Ramadan Feast, which begins on Oct. 23 and ends on Oct. 25.

Erdogan told al-Maliki that Turkey always supported the Iraqi government's policies designed to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and political stability, noting that "We have constantly supported political unity, stability and democracy in Iraq."

Earlier report said that Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki is scheduled to start a formal visit to Turkey on Monday and al- Maliki will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart.

Source: Xinhua