Top officials from countries neighboring Iraq are holding talks in Turkey to welcome the formation of the new government in Baghdad.
Diplomats from Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Istanbul Friday to set the agenda for talks by each country's foreign minister on Saturday. Representatives of regional power, Egypt, also attended the meeting.
Officials say the diplomats were to discuss the recent political developments in Iraq, and the next stages of the political process including the drafting of the nation's constitution by the new government of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
The participants also were expected to draft a statement of support for the new government. Sources say the document will stress the political integrity and sovereignty of the war-torn country and will call for international support for Baghdad.
Some information for this story provided by AP and AFP.
