ISTANBUL -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday said her country appreciates Turkey's efforts in hosting millions of Syrian refugees on its soil.

Attending the opening ceremony of the Turkish-German University in Istanbul with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Merkel said Turkey also gives the refugees the hope to rebuild their country when they go back to hometown. (Turkey-German)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr on Friday called for a scheduled withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq through peaceful means.

Al-Sadr made the call in a letter sent to a massive rally of Iraqis in al-Jaderiyah district, central Baghdad. "We will try to pursue all peaceful political, economic, social, cultural and popular means," the leader said. (Iraq-Protest-US Troop Pullout)

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RABAT -- Morocco and Spain on Friday pledged to continue their smooth coordination at different levels to develop bilateral relations and address common challenges.

During a meeting in the capital Rabbat, Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine El Othmani and visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya praised "the solid friendship and the dynamics of bilateral cooperation in various fields," said a statement published by official news agency MAP. (Morocco-Spain-Coordination)

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BETHLEHEM -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday met with Britain's Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, and expressed his hope that the UK would recognize Palestinian statehood.

"We hope to hear in the near future UK's recognition of the Palestinian state, because we have heard that the UK parliament has recommended this to the government, so we hope it would happen," said Abbas. (Palestine-UK) Enditem

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