The Kurds of northern Iraq have reconvened their regional parliament in an attempt to strengthen their position should Saddam Hussein be deposed by American-led military action.

The meeting was most important step we have taken on the road to recovery and peace.

Massoud Barzani KDP leader

The parliament emerged in 1992 when the Kurds held their first free democratic elections.

But since then it has been paralysed by feuding between the two main Kurdish factions, the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (KUP).

In a message read out to the gathering, US Secretary of State Colin Powell praised the parliament for its efforts to establish a representative government.

Pledges

The Iraqi Kurdish national assembly came together again 10 years to the day after it first convened to endorse the Iraqi Kurds demand for autonomy.

We swear on Koran that we do not want anything more than (the autonomy) we are asking for

Jalal Talabani PUK leader

The BBC's Jim Muir in northern Iraq says the internecine fighting which later broke out between the KDP and the PUK was on everybody's minds as deputies made their way into the chamber for the first time since 1996.

Addressing the session, KDP leader Massoud Barzani asked for the forgiveness of the families of those who died in the internal clashes.

He called the meeting "the most important step we have taken on the road to recovery and peace".

His counterpart from the PUK, Jalal Talabani, said the assembly should pass a law banning conflict between the Kurds.

Fighting between Kurds reached its peak in 1996

The Iraqi Kurds are desperately keen to stress that they are not seeking independence.

They know that powerful neighbours who also have Kurdish minorities, are watching the situation with close and suspicious attention.

Turkey, in particular, is concerned that Iraqi Kurds might move toward independence and encourage separatists Turkish Kurds.

Mr Talabani said Iraqi Kurds were only after their own autonomous government.

"We are ready to swear on Koran that we do not want anything more than what we are asking for," he added.

Message from Washington

The revival of the parliament was the product of a long and slow reconciliation process in which Washington has played a key role.

But our correspondent adds that it has also been clearly spurred by concern that hostilities may break out in the region soon as the Americans try to unseat Saddam Hussein.

Hoshyar Zebarie, a leading KDP figure, said it was not a question of the Iraqi Kurds preparing for war - but more a case of putting their house in order as the storm clouds gathered.

A message of congratulation was read out at the session from Mr Powell.

"I am proud you are among the United States' partners in the fight against tyranny and injustice and that you share our vision of Iraq's future," the message said.

The two Kurdish leaders later told reporters that the Americans had not yet asked them for any bases, facilities, or other specific forms of military help.