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Sunnis, Shi'ites Protest in Iraq


Sunni Muslim mosques in the Iraqi capital are closed Saturday, to protest sectarian violence.

Sunni clerics ordered the three-day closure to protest what they call deliberate killings of some of their preachers by members of a Shi'ite militia. The militia has denied the charge.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari wrapped up a visit to neighboring Turkey.

Mr. al-Jaafari discussed a wide range of topics with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials.

Turkey is especially concerned about Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, and Mr. al-Jaafari pledged that Iraq will not allow "any group to harm" Turkey. He also said Kirkuk will continue to reflect Iraq's diverse demographic makeup and will remain a part of a united Iraq.

For his part, Mr. Erdogan said Turkey seeks to end the use of Iraq as what he called a "virtual terrorism training ground."

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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