Maliki expresses alarm on violence in Turkey

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki expressed, Monday, his concern over the latest alarming developments in Turkey and called for end of violence and self-restraint. In response to journalists' questions on the security situation in neighboring Turkey, Al-Maliki said "Iraq is keen on Turkey's security and stability, which is also a priority for the whole region." Al-Maliki called on all parties involved to stop violence which stands to spill over and expand into the surrounding region. Meanwhile, Turkey is witnessing demonstrations and violence in the commercial district of Taksim after the authorities declared a plan to demolish a public park. The excessive use of force by police against the first protestors is believed by some observers to have caused growth in the number of demonstrators and their spread to other areas.