Royals to see Turkey's treasures

They will visit the mausoleum of one of Islam's most celebrated poets during the trip, which is the third by Prince Charles in as many years.

The royal couple arrived in Turkey's capital Ankara after an invitation from President Abdullah Gul.

They have just completed a three-day tour of Uganda.

That visit took place alongside the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.

The royal party will travel to the central Turkish city of Konya to visit the mausoleum of 13th century poet and mystic philosopher Mevlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi.

Rebel Kurds

They will go on to Catalhoyuk, south of Konya, to see a 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement that is being excavated by a British-led team of archaeologists.

During their stay, they will also visit a rehabilitation centre in Ankara, dine with President Gul, and visit the cities of Istanbul and Izmir.

President Gul is a trustee of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies of which the Prince is patron.

The royal visit comes a month after Turkish forces shelled the positions of rebel Kurds inside Iraq in retaliation for attacks on Turkish troops.

Prince Charles last visited Turkey in 2005 for the 90th anniversary of the disastrous Gallipoli military landings.

The previous year he attended the reopening of the British consulate in Istanbul. It was the target of one of four massive bomb attacks in 2003 that killed 58 people, including the British consul.