Erdogan: "Turkey may send troops to Iraq"

The premier stated that following a summit chaired by the president at the Cankaya Palace and a Cabinet meeting on the issue, Parliament could hold an extraordinary session next month. Signalling that Turkish troops being deployed to Iraq should not be an unexpected development, Erdogan said, “We should reach a consensus during the summit, and then explain our decision to the people.” Also speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, “Turkey wants to help the Iraqi people. The matter shouldn’t be framed as [being primarily about] helping US soldiers.” Following the discussion, the board decided to send a delegation of Arabic-speaking deputies as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to travel all around Iraq to gauge the public mood there. In addition, Erdogan is expected to address the nation on television tonight on recent developments.