Iraqi leader Allawi holds contacts in Ankara

Leader of the Iraqi National Movement Coalition, Neyad Allawi paid a visit to Turkish capital on February 26 and was received by Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdodan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutodlu.

The meetings focused on Iraqi general election which is scheduled to be held on March 7.

Allawi said the frictions among ethnic groups in Iraq emanates from the tension between fundamentalist groups and moderate communities.

Accordingly, Turkish leaders conveyed Turkey's perspective of "multiculturalism, political dialogue, economic interdependence and security for all".

Emergence of alliances regarding general elections is perceived to be usual in Iraq. National Coalition Leader Allawi confederates with secular Shiites.

Allawi was the first prime minister of the interim government that was formed in the wake of US invasion of Iraq in 2003.