UPDATE - Jordan condemns attack on Turkish diplomat in Erbil

UPDATES WITH CONDEMNATION BY VENEZUELA, JAPANESE EMBASSY

By Laith Joneidi

AMMAN (AA) - Jordan has condemned an attack in northern Iraq that martyred a Turkish diplomat.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufyan al-Qudah on Wednesday offered "sincere condolences to the sisterly Turkish and Iraqi governments," for the shooting, which occurred in a venue in the Kurdish Regional Government's (KRG) capital of Erbil.

He wished the wounded quick recovery.

"We continue our communication with the Iraqi authorities and local officials to find the perpetrators of the attack as soon as possible," he added.

Also, Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and Japanese Embassy in Ankara issued statements, condemning the incident.

On Wednesday, a Turkish diplomat, who was serving at Turkey's Consulate General in Erbil, was martyred in an armed attack at a restaurant, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said three attackers were involved in the incident.

Apart from the Turkish diplomats, one Iraqi sitting at the next table was killed, while another was seriously wounded, he added.

Cavusoglu said Turkey was in contact with Baghdad and Erbil regarding the incident, adding that efforts were ongoing to capture the attackers and reveal all details behind the attack.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat