KUWAIT: Interior ministers meet to discuss security situation in Iraq

Interior ministers of Iraq's neighbouring countries meet in Kuwait City to discuss the security situation in Iraq. The interior ministers of Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran began a two-day meeting in Kuwait on Tuesday (October 23) to discuss security issues concerning neighbouring Iraq. The meeting, the fourth of its kind, comes as Turkey intensified pressure on U.S. and Iraqi authorities to stop guerillas of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) from carrying out deadly attacks inside Turkey. The rebels killed at least 12 Turkish soldiers on Sunday and say they captured eight others. Earlier on Tuesday, Iraq pledged to rein in Kurdish rebels after Ankara threatened to send forces into Iraqi territory to confront the guerrillas. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was giving diplomacy a chance, but reminded Iraq that Turkey's parliament had given the go-ahead for a military incursion at any time. According to the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah attended the meeting. Kuwait reaffirmed its support to improve security and stability in Iraq, according to local media reports. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud said that countries attending the meeting must 'consolidate efforts aimed at preserving Iraq's unity and its stability', read a statement on KUNA's website. Iran has also been accused of causing instability in the war-torn country. The U.S. has repeatedly accused Iran of interfering in Iraq, in addition to concern about its nuclear program.

ITN Source | October 24, 2007

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