Gul and Erdogan extend support to Talabani

In Iraq, tensions between Kurdistan Regional Government and Bagdad have hospitalized Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Reportedly, Talabani suffered a stroke and his conscious is open. The Press Office of the Iraqi Presidency issued a written statement, saying, "Talabani is suffering from a hardening of his arteries, but his condition is stable." Turkish President Abdullah Gul issued a message, saying that if he wished, he could receive medical treatment in Turkey. Gul has sent his message via Turkey's Ambassador in Bagdad Yunus Demirer and Iraq's Ambassador in Ankara Abdul Amir Kamil Abi Tabikh, who paid an official farewell visit to the Turkish President yesterday. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said, "We have heard that President Jelal Talabani was seriously ill. As a result, we immediately told them that we could send them an air ambulance, if they requested."