Maliki: Erdogan statements provoke all Iraqis

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki renewed, on Tuesday, attacks against his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan following Turkish Prime Minister’s latest statements on Iraq.

Maliki regarded Erdogan’s statements as provocative to all Iraqis and rejected any interference in Iraqi internal affairs.

“Iraqis are Sunni and Shiite brothers who live in harmony with each other,” Maliki said in a statement issued by his office today and which Alsumarianews received a copy of.

“Iraqis don’t need those pretending to defend the rights of some parties against others. Iraqis are proud of belonging to their nation,” Maliki added. Erdogan’s statements are provocative to all Iraqis especially to the ones he thinks he is defending, Maliki said, a source told Alsumaria.

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BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Vice-President Khudhair Khuza'i confirmed today that the statements made by Turkish Premier Erdogan were "inciting" and "not constituting a friendship and brotherly relations between the two Muslim neighborly countries," a presidential statement said today.

During his meeting with the Turkish Ambassador Younus Demerer , Khuza'i stressed "the importance of preserving the historical relations with the Turkish people and not permitting such statements to influence them".

Khuza'i called on the Turkish government to solve this crisis to resume normal relations between both countries, confirming that "Iraq will not permit any intervention in its internal affairs, nor will not interfere in the affairs of others".

The statement concluded that the Turkish ambassador expressed his "understanding of the reflections of the Iraqi government and people", which shall be delivered to his government and efforts will be exerted to contain the present crisis.
Earlier today, Chairman of the Higher Islamic Council Ammar al-Hakeem arrived in Turkey to discuss the ongoing crisis between both countries.

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