Turkish premier finds statements of Iraqi pm unfortunate

ANKARA (A.A)- January 24, 2012 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defined recent remarks of Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki, who said Turkey was intervening in Iraq's domestic matters, as "very ugly and unfortunate". Turkey would never attempt to support or oppose or rule any sect or ethnical group in Syria, Iraq or any other country in the region, added Erdogan who spoke at his Justice & Development (AK) Party's group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday. We assess each matter in our region from the aspects of stability, tranquility and peace, said Erdogan, adding that Turkey was aware of the heavy cost of clashes among sects in the region for centuries, and Turkey was exerting sincere efforts to prevent these clashes. Turkey, even when the U.S. and other countries entered, did not intervene in Iraq, said Erdogan. Turkey will sensitively follow the future process in Iraq, said Erdogan. He noted that Turkey expected Iraqi administration to act with responsibility and end clashes among sects in the country.