Iraq's Governing Council has said it is trying to find a compromise to end a dispute with the US-led administration over the deployment of Turkish troops to help occupying forces stabilise the country.
Facing daily attacks and mounting financial costs in Iraq, Washington is trying to get more countries to commit troops and funds. Turkey's parliament voted yesterday to approve sending soldiers to join the occupation force in Iraq.
But members of the Governing Council, handpicked by Washington as the first step on the road to Iraqi self-rule, said the body had unanimously agreed to reject the presence of soldiers from any neighbouring country, including Turkey.
A statement from the Council's president, Mr Iyad Allawi, acknowledged members were worried about Turkish troops on Iraqi soil but said no final decision had been made.
Governing Council member Mr Mowaffaq al-Rubaie said today a statement would be issued soon.
"The Governing Council views the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, especially those from neighbouring countries, with anxiety and caution as those countries have interests that contradict the interests of the Iraqi people," he said.
Although the Governing Council has responsibility for overseeing a new constitution for Iraq, final say on policy rests with US governor Mr Paul Bremer.
The Turkish troops issue is a thorny one because of the hostility of Iraq's Kurds towards Ankara. Iraq was also part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries.
Mr Rubaie said the Governing Council's objection to troops from neighbouring countries was based on fears they could stir up strife among Iraq's different ethnic and religious groups.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurds who had helped US forces topple Saddam Hussein are threatening to turn their guns against their old enemy Turkey if Ankara sends troops to Iraq at Washington's request.