Iraq condemns planned Turkey-Israel naval exercises

Iraq has condemned the naval exercises Turkey is planning to hold with Israel and the United States in the Mediterranean next week.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohamed Said al-Sahhaf, described them as provocative, and called on all Arab countries to express anger and urge Ankara to withdraw from the manouevres.

Syria, Egypt and Iran have already expressed strong criticism.

The exercises are due to be held under a military co-operation agreement signed two years ago by Turkey and Israel.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service