President Gul receives chair of Iraqi Turkmen Front Salihi

ANKARA (A.A) - November 17, 2011 - Turkish President Abdullah Gul received Thursday the new chair of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Arshad Salihi and an accompanying delegation at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. Speaking to reporters prior to his meeting with Salihi behind closed doors, President Gul said that Salihi was recently elected the chair of the Iraqi Turkmen Front and was a deputy from Kirkuk at the Iraqi Parliament. All Iraqis are our brothers and sisters. We wish all Iraqis to have a prosperous and happy life. As Turkey, we are doing our utmost for Iraq's unity and strength. Iraqi Turkmens play the role of a great bridge between Turkey and Iraq, Gul said. I will receive information from Salihi about recent developments and exchange views, Gul said. We wish our regards to be conveyed to the Iraqi Turkmens and all Iraqis and want to send the message to the Iraqi Parliament that Turkey will do all it can so Iraq can get over its problems, Gul said. Salihi is a great mujahid who stayed in a prison for nine years during the Saddam era for his ties to the Turkmens. He is a friend whose brother was martyred and family relocated to Iraq's south from Kirkuk. They do have problems even today. Salihi is a friend who believes in the unity of Iraq from his heart. While defending the rights of the Turkmens, Salihi is an individual who can contribute to brotherhood among various groups in Iraq, Gul said. Salihi, in his part, said that "as Iraqi Turkmens, we are a bridge between Iraq and Turkey". Turkey's equal distance to all groups in Iraq was a source of pride for all Iraqis, Salihi said. It is our natural right to be closer to Turkey. We are the fourth biggest force in Iraq. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and Turks are all part of the society (in Iraq). As the fourth force in the Iraqi Parliament, the Turkmens began proving themselves in Iraqi politics, Salihi also said.