Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, made a surprise visit to Ankara yesterday. Al-Hakim is expected to be received by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today.

Speaking to the Taraf daily, diplomatic sources defined al-Hakim’s visit as a step aimed at normalizing the tense relations between the two countries. During talks with al-Hakim, stability in Iraq, as well as developments in the region will be on the agenda.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has recently made harsh comments against Turkey and accused Ankara of interfering with Iraq’s domestic affairs.

In response to this, Erdogan defined al-Maliki’s remarks as “ugly and unfortunate.” Al-Maliki has responded him in the same day, saying, “Erdogan has provoked all the Iraqi people with his statements.”