Turkish Foreign Minister urged Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi to remain in Iraq but said Turkey would not turn him away if he requested asylum

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday urged Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, facing an arrest warrant on terror charges, to remain in Iraq but said Turkey would not turn him away if he requested asylum.
  
"What would be appropriate for us is that Mr Hashemi should stay within the Iraqi territory," Davutoglu said in televised remarks broadcast by the state-run Turkish Radio and Television.
  
Davutoglu said Turkey's doors were open to him but that he would prefer him to stay in Iraq and contribute to a solution to political problems facing his country.

Davutoglu said the gravity of the allegation faced by Hashemi could not be minimized. "This is a very serious accusation and I think it must be clarified as soon as possible," he said.
  
Asked about Turkey's response if the Iraqi leader requested asylum from Turkey, which shares a border with Iraq, Davutoglu said: "Our tradition requires us not to say 'no' to any statesman who requests asylum from Turkey."
  
A five-member judicial panel has issued a warrant for Hashemi's arrest on terror charges and being involved in attempt to assassinate the premier.