Turkey hosts Quadrilateral meeting to end Iraq-Syria tension

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu late last week hosted a quadrilateral meeting between Iraq, Syria and Turkey and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa as part of a Turkish-initiated process to reconcile political differences between its neighbors, after Baghdad accused Damascus of sheltering the culprits in bombings outside Iraqi government buildings that killed 95 people last month. The meeting at the Türkevi (Turkish House) in New York was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and was the third such meeting, following one earlier this month in Cairo on the sidelines of an Arab League summit and a second one in Istanbul. Iraq and Syria are strategic neighbors of Turkey, Davutoglu told reporters following the meeting, pledging continuation of Turkey's efforts on the issue. "We've been making efforts in the most appropriate atmosphere among brothers and neighbors without having the issue internationalized or having these issues escalated more. In this regard, these kinds of meetings are very important for creating an environment of confidence," Davutoglu said. In related news, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani called for continued Turkish-mediated reconciliation talks between Syria and his country.