General Hulusi Akar, commander of the Turkish Land Forces, will visit Washington, D.C., from January 26 to January 30 following an invitation from his American counterpart General Ray Odierno. A statement released by the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. said that General Akar would observe American military units and institutions, and will also have a conversation on routine military cooperation and joint training and military exercises. General Akar is expected to be assigned as the chief of general staff following annual Supreme Military Council meeting in this August. The Council is the top body that oversees assignments of high ranking military officials. Sources speaking to Hürriyet daily said that the Syrian crisis may be included in the talks between the two parties. Recently, the negotiations between two NATO allies in the military-to-military channel regarding a possible exclusion zone along the Turkish border stalled over a disagreement on priorities. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told the Washington Post yesterday that the parties were very close to an agreement, as discussions continue.