Arab League urges Turkey to respect Iraqi sovereignty

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Thursday that Turkey must respect Iraqi sovereignty without making remarks that complicate the situation.

Abul Gheit, who is following the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, said he hopes "the crisis would be solved without any further escalation."

On Wednesday, Turkey and Iraq summoned each other's ambassadors ahead of a planned operation to flush out Islamic State (IS) militants from their last major stronghold in Mosul, the second largest city of Iraq.

The row between the two neighbors centers on Turkish troops deployed near the city.

The Turkish parliament voted on Saturday to extend the mandate of Turkish forces in Syria and Iraq for one more year.

However, the Iraqi parliament decided on Tuesday to reject such extension from Turkey.

Iraq said the decision of Turkish parliament represents "incursion of Turkish troops into Iraqi territories."

On Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told a news conference in Baghdad that he fears "the Turkish adventure will turn into a regional war."

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Iraq's decision was "unacceptable."

Baghdad is planning to retake Mosul from IS with the help of a U.S.-led coalition. Endit