VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict on Sunday called for a peaceful solution to tensions along the Turkish-Iraqi border, saying Christians fleeing violence in Iraq were among those who had taken refuge in that region.
"The developments in the Turkey-Iraq border region are a source, for me and for all, of concern. I therefore wish to encourage every effort to reach a peaceful solution," the Pontiff said, addressing crowds in St. Peter's Square.
Turkey has 100,000 troops on the border with Iraq and has threatened to go after Kurdish rebels in Iraqi territory, a move the United States fears could destabilise northern Iraq and escalate into a bigger regional conflict.
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