Turkey to launch stability in Iraq

ANKARA (AA) – Ankara emphasized that Turkey could go to Iraq to ensure stability, not as a police force during meetings with the members of Iraqi Tribes Council on Tuesday.

Turkey, which continues to take pulse of regional people on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, continues contacts both in Iraq and with delegations who visit Ankara.

A meeting was held between officials of the Foreign Ministry and the members of Iraqi Tribes Council comprised of almost 1,000 tribes. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul attended a part of the meeting.

Diplomatic sources said that Foreign Ministry bureaucrats emphasized that in case Turkey decided to send soldiers to Iraq, it would send them to ensure stability, not as a police force.

The sources noted that the meeting was a part of the consultation process between Turkey and several groups in Iraq.

The bureaucrats told the delegation that Turkey wanted to help settlement of stability in Iraq.

The delegation is expected to meet with business circles in Istanbul after wrapping up contacts in Ankara.