Turkish PM to visit Egypt, Tunisia and Libya next week

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a four-day visit to Egypt, Tunisia and Libya from Sept. 12 to 15, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Wednesday. The visit aims to extend Turkey's support to the countries which are in the process of transition. On Sept. 12, Erdogan will leave for Egypt to meet Prime Minister Essam Abdel Aziz Sharaf and Minister of Defense Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart are expected to sign a joint statement about the establishment of a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. They will also sign agreements on cooperation in economy, trade, education and culture, sports, press and public administration. The Turkish prime minister will also hold talks with Arab League chief Nabil el-Arabi after delivering a speech at the pan- Arab bloc's Foreign Ministers' Council meeting. In Tunisia, Erdogan will meet with Acting President Fouad M' Bazaa, Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi and leaders of political parties. On Sept. 15, the Turkish leader will proceed to Libya to meet chairman of the Libyan National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdel Jalil. Their talks will focus on Turkey's future roles in Libya's political transition, national rebuilding and economic development.