Turkish decision to follow UN meeting

Turkey’s governing party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who swept elections paving the way for him to become prime minister, said a decision on allowing in US combat troops for an Iraq war could come after the UN Security Council has met and a new Turkish government is formed.

Mr Erdogan – the popular politician who already wields power behind the scenes - has backed the deployment of troops and has hinted that he would seek a fresh vote after parliament last week rejected a resolution for the basing of 62,000 troops that would open a northern front against Iraq.

But in an interview following his massive electoral victory in yesterday’s by-elections, Mr Erdogan appear to be in no hurry to resubmit a motion on troop deployment.

He said Turkey was still seeking assurances from the US “on the role” it would play in Iraq, but did not elaborate.

Turkey, which fears Iraqi Kurds may declare independence in the aftermath of a war, has been pressing for a say in the future of Iraq.

“We have the UN Security Council before us, we have the process of forming a new government,” Mr Erdogan told CNN-Turk television when asked about a new resolution.

“We need to assess all these very carefully, and then we will take a decision.

“I cannot give a date. There are also steps that the United States has to take.”