Turkish minister barred from landing in Iraq
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 December 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkish minister barred from landing in Iraq, 4 December 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/50cb3aab28.html [accessed 20 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 04, 2012
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz
Turkish and Iraqi officials say Baghdad has banned a plane carrying a Turkish cabinet minister from landing in the autonomous Kurdish region.
The head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, Nassir Bandar, said Turkish Energy Minister Tanir Yildiz's plane was supposed to land in Irbil, but it was denied permission to do so.
He cited lack of legal approval.
Relations between Iraq and Turkey have been strained after fugitive Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi sought refuge in Turkey.
Hashimi has been accused by Iraq's Shi'ite-led government that he was running death squads.
Ankara rejected Baghdad's request to hand over Hashimi, who was tried and convicted in absentia.
Iraq's government and the autonomous Kurdish region have been involved in various disputes over rights to develop natural resources.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
