Iraq's Governing Council is seeking a compromise to end a dispute with the US-led administration over the deployment of Turkish troops in stabilisation efforts in the country.
The dispute coincided with signs that Washington may abandon efforts to secure a new United Nations resolution meant to secure more international help to bring order in Iraq seven months after the US-led invasion.
The dispute over whether Turkish troops will be able to join occupation forces broke out as US soldiers faced continuing deadly attacks that have hindered attempts to rebuild Iraq's civilian administration.
Turkey agreed on Tuesday to send troops to the Gulf with talks with the United States beginning today. But members of the Iraqi Governing Council have unanimously rejected the presence of soldiers from any neighbouring country.
However, council member Mr Mowaffaq al-Rubaie conceded the troops could be deployed without their agreement by US governor Mr Paul Bremer. He said the council accepted a compromise should be sought.
The troops are not wanted because of Turkey's savage treatment of Kurds who live in both Iraq and Turkey.
At the United Nations, Britain is leading the effort to secure a new resolution on the reconstruction of Iraq as US attempts to draft a text agreeable to the Security Council look doomed to failure.
With costs mounting and attacks continuing on its forces, Washington wants the resolution which would give the United Nations a broader mandate in Iraq as part of efforts to get more countries to send troops and money.
But UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said last week the UN could not play a political role in Iraq under the terms Washington wants. France and Russia, who want a faster handover of power to Iraqis, have criticised the US draft text.