Iraqi FM in Damascus for talks with al-Shara

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara today Saturday received the Iraqi Foreign Minister MuhammadSaeed al-Sahaf and members of the accompanying delegation, SANA reported.

Talks dealt with developments in Iraq and results of the recent conference of the Arab foreign minister held recently in Cairo. On Friday, night the Iraqi FM arrived n Damascus. In an arrival statement to SANA, the Iraqi minister expressed happiness about visiting Damascus. He said "I am visiting Damascus as part of a tour in the Arab region in order to continue contacts with the Arab brothers and exchange points of view on a number of issues of interest to the Arab nation."

In reply to a question on the incursion made by the Turkish forces in the north of Iraq, the Iraqi FM said "The invasion of north Iraq by Turkish troops has been repeated for many times. Today Friday I listened to a statement made by Turkey's Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in which he stressed the need not to interfere in Turkey s affairs. I believe that this Turkish sensitivity should be reflected by not interfering in the affairs of other states."