Neighboring countries with Iraq to meet in Damascus

The previous meetings were held in Istanbul and Riyadh.

Besides Hoshiyar Zebari, foreign minister of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, foreign ministers of Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, Lebanon and Bahrain will be in attendance at the meeting.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who has received an invitation from Syrian administration, is expected to represent Turkey.

During the meeting, latest developments in Iraq and activities of the interim governing council for future of the country will be taken up.

The issue of dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq may be brought onto agenda of the meeting.

Earlier, the second meeting of foreign ministers of the neighboring countries with Iraq was scheduled to be held in Damascus. However, the meeting was held in Riyadh due to the tension heightened between Syria and the United States.