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Iraqi security top issue on interior ministers meeting agenda

ANKARA, Sept 21 (KUNA) -- Turkish Interior Minister Bashir Atalai said on Tuesday Iraq's security issue will top the agenda of the 7th meeting of interior ministers of Iraq's neighboring countries, scheduled in Bahrain on Wednesday.
Atalai told reporters before heading to Bahrain that he and his counterparts will focus on "ways to maintain Iraq's security and fight terror groups." He said that they will also discuss possible contributions on setting up a security front in Iraq, while adding that Turkey's participation in this meeting will have an effective impact due to the proximity of its region.
He stressed the importance of holding the meeting, while Iraq is going through a crisis to form its government, as well as the fears of maintaining security in Iraq after the US withdrawal last month.
The meeting includes Interior Ministers from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Turkey, Bahrain, hosts and representatives from the United Nations, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Conference and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers.
The sixth meeting of interior ministers of Iraqi neighboring states was held in Egypt last October with the participation of Turkey. (end) mm.hmo KUNA 211408 Sep 10NNNN