(ZAMAN) - The official visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki to Ankara has been cancelled due a sandstorm in Iraqi capital Baghdad.
A private plane carrying Maliki and the accompanying Iraqi delegation was not allowed to depart on Monday morning because of a strong sandstorm around the Baghdad airport, reports Trend.
Iraqi PM Nouri Al Maliki was due to arrive in the Turkish capital of Ankara this morning around 10 a.m. at the invitation of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. PM Erdogan and President Sezer were planning to meet with Maliki during his Turkey visit.
A new agenda is expected to be set for Maliki's visit, most likely to be rescheduled for November. The Iraqi premier is also expected to phone Erdogan to express regrets over the cancellation of his trip.