Turkish premier in Baghdad Thursday

BAGHDAD, July 9 (UPI) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Baghdad Thursday to visit with top officials on bilateral relations, Iraqi officials said Wednesday.

A statement from the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki confirmed the visit by the Turkish premier, Iran's Al-Alam News Network said. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh announced the visit last week, but did not specify a date, citing security concerns.

Various media reports suggested Erdogan would be in Baghdad on July 4.

Erdogan plans to meet with Iraqi and Kurdish officials in Baghdad to express Ankara's support for an emerging Iraq. He also is expected to address military operations targeting the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

Turkey has cracked down on the PKK since last December, using U.S. military intelligence to track the group's movements in northern Iran.

Turkish officials met with the Iraqi premier in June to coordinate plans for the arrival of Erdogan. His intentions to visit Baghdad were announced at that time.