Iraq opens arms for Turkish premier

BAGHDAD, June 26 (UPI) -- Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said Thursday Baghdad greeted warmly a decision by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Iraq in July.

Erdogan is expected to meet with Iraqi and Kurdish officials in Baghdad to discuss improving bilateral relations between the two countries. He is also expected to address military operations targeting the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, Today's Zaman said.

"Iraq aims at working with Turkey to solve problems and further improve bilateral relations to serve the interests of the two countries," Salih said.

While no official date for the visit has been announced, various media reports say Erdogan is expected in Baghdad on July 4. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is expected to return to Iraq from Washington in time for the meeting.

Salih visited Istanbul in early June to attend an economic forum and met the Turkish premier and President Abdullah Gul.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Sadrist Party of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr visited the Turkish Parliament Thursday to discuss Istanbul's role in securing Iraq, the Turkish daily Hurriyet said.