Turkish sources said that Powell will meet with Turkey's high-ranking officials to discuss plans of postwar reconstruction in Iraq, where the United States-led military actions began on March 20.

Powell might seek to extend the over flight rights Ankara has granted to the US aircraft to include permission for them to land in Turkey for refueling, according to the sources.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet with Powell on Wednesday.

Turkey's concern over the developments in northern Iraq, where it opposes the possible setting up of an independent Kurdish state, is expected to be a key topic between Powell and Turkish officials.

On March 1, Turkish parliament rejected a motion proposed by the government for the deployment of 62,000-strong US troops in Turkey to launch a "Northern Front" in war on Iraq. Later, the parliament only approved the opening of the Turkish airspace for the US aircraft.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2003)