Iraq rejects foreign troops' presence on its soil

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has rejected any presence of foreign troops on its territories, stressing sovereignty must be respected despite international action against the Islamic State militant group in the country.

Iraqi government expressed these sentiments as its prime minister had a telephonic conversation Monday with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, Xinhua quoted an Iraqi government statement as saying here Tuesday.

"Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi expressed his rejection to the presence of any foreign forces on Iraq's soil, and that all countries need to respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Abadi's comments came five days after the Turkish parliament approved a motion that gives the government new powers to launch military incursions into Syria and Iraq and to allow foreign forces to use its territory for possible operations against the IS group.