World Bulletin/News Desk

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu received Sheikh Mahmoud al-Ani, President of Iraqi Council of Scholars composed of Iraqi Sunnites, and an accompanying delegation in Ankara on Wednesday.      

Davutoglu emphasized that they were following the developments in their neighboring country Iraq closely, according to diplomatic sources.      

Pointing out that Turkey didn't pursue sectarian politics either in Iraq or in the region, Davutoglu underlined that Ankara was always ready to contribute to the peace and stability of Iraq. He also added it was the foundation of indispensable part of Turkish foreign policy from Syria to Myanmar and Somalia to Afghanistan.      

Sheikh Al-Ani, who visited Turkey upon the invitation of head of Turkish Religious Affairs, expressed his gratitude for Turkey's interest in Iraq's problems.      

Al-Ani also expressed his concerns over the increasing attacks in Iraq especially targeting Sunnite groups.