Turkey agrees to US troops deal

Turkey’s Cabinet has agreed to host tens of thousands of US combat troops for a possible Iraq war, in a crucial boost to American plans of a two-front attack to surround and divide the forces of Saddam Hussein.

Foreign minister Yasar Yakis said yesterday that Turkish and US officials were still negotiating the agreement and that a vote by parliament – which could come as early as today – could be delayed until the terms were finalised.