The leader of Turkey's governing party has said refusal to part in a US-led war on Iraq could run against the country's interests.

Turkey's long-term interests and even security, could be in jeopardy Recep Tayyip Erdogan

"If one is left out of the equation at the start the operation, it may not be possible to be in a position to control developments at the end of the operation," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

"Turkey's long-term interests and even security, could be in jeopardy," he said.

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Conflict with Iraq : Where Europe stands

The US has been keen to ensure Turkey's full support in any war, as the country occupies a politically- and strategically-vital position.

Turkey fears that a war in Iraq could encourage Kurdish groups in northern Iraq to take steps towards independence, fuelling separatism among its own Kurdish population.

Popular concern

Mr Erdogan urged the US administration not to launch military operations without backing from the UN Security Council.

Turks have held large anti-war demonstrations

Popular opinion in Turkey is strongly opposed to war, which could have serious consequences for the Turkish economy.

Polls show four out of five Turks against an attack on a fellow Muslim nation.

But the government of Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development (AK) will ask parliament this week to grant permission for foreign troops to use the country's land and air in the event of war.

Deployments

Turkey, Nato's only Muslim member, already hosts some 50 US aircraft that patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.

Reports in the Turkish press on Tuesday said the government is considering asking parliament to allow the deployment of 10,000 US troops and 350 warplanes in the country, and to let an extra 30,000 US soldiers enter Iraq through Turkey.

Turkey has been deploying its own forces towards its 330-kilometre (200-mile) border with Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq.