Region | Iraq
Talabani says Iraq will not tolerate Kurdish rebels
Iraqi president Jalal Talabani insisted on Friday that Kurdish rebels would not be tolerated inside its borders as he sought to allay tensions following neighboring Turkey's eight-day military mission inside Iraq.
- AP
- Published: 13:25 March 8, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Talabani (right) shakes hand with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (left) as President Gul looks on in Ankara.
Ankara: Iraqi president Jalal Talabani insisted on Friday that Kurdish rebels would not be tolerated inside its borders as he sought to allay tensions following neighboring Turkey's eight-day military mission inside Iraq.
Speaking during a visit to Turkey, Talabani said Iraq was continuing to put pressure on Kurdish rebels to lay down their arms and said the two countries would discuss wide-ranging security measures to combat their threat.
The visit by Talabani, who is a Kurd, reflected diplomatic efforts to ease tensions after an operation that some had feared could spill into a wider conflict between two US allies.
The Turkish military ended its offensive a week ago against Kurdish rebels who launch attacks on Turkey from bases in northern Iraq.
"Iraq wants strategic and solid relations with Turkey," Talabani said.
"We have exerted pressure. Either they should lay down arms or they should leave the area," Talabani said. "We are going to discuss wide-ranging security agreements."
Turkish President Abdullah Gul called on the rebels to lay down their arms, saying Turkey will never tolerate those who engage in terrorism.
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