New military links called

Turkey's army chief of staff, General Ismail Hakki Karadiyi, at the end of a visit to Egypt, has called for closer military ties between the two countries.

General Karadayi was speaking after a meeting with President Hosni Mubarak -- since his arrival on Monday, he has also seen the Egyptian prime minister and defence minister, as well as top military officers.

Correspondents say his visit was aimed at countering criticism in the Arab world over Turkey's military links with Israel.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service