Iraqi shiite leader lauds Ankara's constructive stance on Iraqi govt formation

Turkey's impartial treatment of all of Iraq's political groups is worthy of commendation, Ammar al-Hakim, the influential clerical leader of Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, said yesterday. Speaking to reporters after completing his talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, al-Hakim said Turkey has played a constructive role in the seven-month-long political impasse in Iraq over government formation, taking a balanced and encouraging stance towards all political groups in the country. Following his meeting with al-Hakim, Erdogan said the extended ambiguity over Iraq's new government has reached a disturbing level, urging the immediate establishment of a national consensus government there.