Iraq calls for withdrawal of Turkish troops

BAGHDAD, Jan 18 (KUNA) -- Iraq's Foreign Ministry urged on Monday the US, Britain and France to press Turkey in order to withdraw its troops immediately from northern Iraq.
The ministry said in a statement Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari met with US and French ambassadors to Iraq Stuart Jones and Mark Bertini respectively, and British ambassador's deputy Belinda Lewis and discussed the incursion of Turkish troops in the Iraqi territories. The existence of Turkish troops in Iraq is a "blatant" violation of its sovereignty, the statement added, citing al-Jaafari, who urged friendly countries, mainly the US, Britain and France, to provide further support for Iraq to force Turkey to withdraw its troops.
Iraq used all diplomatic endeavors in this regard, but the Turkish side has not so far responded to the demand, it said.
The three envoys stressed their countries' stance supporting Iraq and rejecting the existence of the Turkish troops, it noted. (end) ahh.hm