Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday the parliament would convene an extraordinary session to debate a motion on sending peace keepers to Iraq, reported the Anatolian News Agency.

In an address made at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Central Executive Council meeting, Erdogan said a request made by the United States for sending Turkish soldiers to Iraq could be discussed at a "summit of the state." Erdogan said a decision that would be taken during the summit would be taken up in the Council of Ministers meeting, adding that the Council of Ministers may call the parliament for an extraordinary meeting in September.

"With a great possibility, the parliament may convene in September," he noted.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Turkey should send soldiers to Iraq to help maintain stability and at the same time get assignment in rebuilding of Iraq.

Gul said in case a decision is adopted on dispatch of troops, Turkish soldiers would be assigned in the middle region of Iraq, adding finance and expert issues had never been discussed by Turkey and the United States.

Gul stressed that in case such a thing emerges, a joint decision with the United States would be taken.

During Gul's visit to Washington late last month, US Secretary of State Colin Powell officially conveyed US request to Turkey for sending troops to Iraq, as quickly as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2003)