By NNN-KUNA
Ankara : Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of a peaceful solution for the problem of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).
However, the recent developments made the military option weigh more than the peaceful one, Erdogan told MPs of his Justice and Development (AK) Party here Tuesday.
Every stone in the Middle East has been jolted as a result of US occupation of Iraq which led to instability and insecurity in all countries of the region, said the Turkish PM who is scheduled to meet US President George W. Bush in Washington on Nov 5.
Erdogan pointed out that he would ask the US leaders to take urgent and decisive steps against the PKK rebels in north Iraq.
His remarks follow reports on the abduction of eight Turkish soldiers at the hands of the PKK early last week.
President of the northern Iraqi semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan Masaud Barazani said earlier Tuesday talks were underway to secure the safe release of the abducted soldiers.
In a press conference in Irbil, north Iraq, Barazani ruled out the possibility of solving the Turkish-PKK dispute by military force.
Meanwhile, Turkish Minister of Interior Besir Atalay denied press reports that the abducted soldiers have been released Friday.
The Turkish general staff has formed taskforces to search for the soldiers, identify them and secure their safe release. The Turkish cabinet is scheduled to meet Wednesday under the chairmanship of Erdogan in order to mull economic sanctions against north Iraq.
The sanctions against supporters of the PKK were recommended by the Turkish National Security Council on Oct 24.