Syria's Assad and Iraqi FM Zebari set to visit Turkey next week

Tension between Iraq and Syria due to bombings in Baghdad is falling in the wake of Turkish initiatives. An agreement to set up a common security mechanism between the three countries as proposed by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was recently reached. In line with this, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will pay a visit to Turkey next Wednesday, followed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Thursday. Assad will attend a fast-breaking dinner hosted by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The first ministerial meeting of the Turkey-Iraq Strategic Cooperation Council will be held with Zebari and nine Iraqi Cabinet ministers.