Iraqi ambassador to Turkey Abdulemir Kamil Abi-Tabikh was summoned Thursday to the Turkish Foreign Ministry headquarters after Iraq's Ministry of Trade declared that it lifted operating licences to Turkish companies in Iraq, Xinhua reported.
The licenses have been put aside until further notice while inspections are conducted and arrangements made, the ministry said in a written statement.
Turkish officials asked explanation for the new practice, a diplomat told Xinhua, adding that the Iraq's decision is for new demands on licences, not the existing ones.
The decision came as Turkish government has refused to extradite Iraq's fugitive Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, who was sentenced to death on terror charges in absentia and is currently in Turkey.