Iraqi, Turkish PMs to discuss PKK in Istanbul

BAGHDAD, Nov 1 (Reuters) Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss the threat posed by Kurdish separatists, Iraq's government spokesman said today.

Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the Iraqi prime minister would travel to Turkey tomorrow to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from Iraq's neighbours and major powers in Istanbul.

He said the two prime ministers would meet on the sidelines of the conference to discuss ''the threat posed by the PKK and stabilising the border''.

Turkey has sent 100,000 troops to the Iraqi border, backed by tanks, artillery and aircraft, ready for a possible military incursion into northern Iraq against militants there from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Reuters RJ GC2130