Ankara  - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Ankara Saturday morning for talks with Turkish leaders aimed at improving ties between the two NATO allies - strained following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Clinton was scheduled to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan before returning to Washington Saturday evening.

In addition to US plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq, talks are expected to concentrate on the Middle East conflict and Turkey's recent efforts to normalize relations with Armenia. (dpa)