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Iraqi PM in Turkey Oct. 21 in quest for 2nd term

ANKARA, Oct 20 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki arrives in Turkey Thursday, part of a regional tour aimed at rallying support for his quest for a second term as premier.
Al-Maliki is expected to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul and then heads to Ankara for talks with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials, diplomats said Wednesday.
Al-Maliki's visit to Turkey takes place seven months after the parliamentary elections, with political parties are deadlocked on the name of the next prime ministers.
Erdogan, speaking to reporters yesterday before flying to Finland, said his meeting with Al-Maliki would focus on developments in Iraq in general, and the Iraqi political forces' failure to name a prime minister.
Turkey has been receiving envoys from Iraq, either from Al-Maliki or other political parties, to brief the Turkish leaders about the state-of-play of the formation of the government in Baghdad.
Turkey was clear in its position and telling the envoys that it stood at a same distance from all parties.
Al-Maliki, whose tour has already taken him to Syria, Jordan, Iran and Egypt, seeks a second-term through partnership with other parties. (end) mm.bs KUNA 202044 Oct 10NNNN