Turkey's parliament has given the United States permission to upgrade an unspecified number of Turkish bases and ports for possible use in a war on Iraq.
The decision was Turkey's first concrete gesture of support to its NATO ally for a war Ankara fears could stir turmoil in the region and disrupt its recovery from economic crisis.
The 550-seat parliament approved the measure in a session closed to the press and public, a deputy present said.
The parliament is set to vote on February 18th on a second measure to allow the US to send troops to the bases, which could then become a springboard for a "northern front" against Baghdad. Yes votes today came mainly from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The vast majority of Turks oppose any war and the AKP hascampaigned for a peaceful solution, worried that war could lead to the eventual break-up of Iraq as well as economic damage.
The United States has promised Turkey a billion-dollarpackage of financial aid to offset the cost of war and shore up Turkey's volatile financial markets against the impact of conflict in a neighbour.
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said this morning that Turkishtroops would not take part in any fighting in the possibleand said he had not given up hope of a peaceful solution.
Iraq's ambassador said that support for a US attackamounted to effective support for war. Turkey is seeking missile defence systems from NATO to protect it in any war.
Turkish troops are however expected to increase theirpresence in northern Iraq. Turkey says it wants to prevent any humanitarian disasters and prevent any independence bids by the Kurds of northern Iraq.