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Turkey backs move to deploy troops

Ecevit: Given the go-ahead to send troops abroad

Turkey, the only predominantly Muslim nation within Nato, already allows US and British aircraft to use its airspace for attacks against Afghanistan.

Speaking ahead of the vote, Turkish Defence Minister Sabhattin Cakmakoglu said the government wanted to obtain the broadest possible support but had no plans to join the campaign.

"The decision should not be taken to mean an immediate dispatch of soldiers. When there is a demand, we will decide in line with Turkey's multi-faceted interests," he said.

The decree was comfortably passed by 319 votes to 101, with two abstentions.

Opposition

Two smaller pro-Islamic parties opposed the move and criticised the government for acting against Turkey's long-term interests.

"It is dangerous for the government to acquire such a permission because even it does not know where this operation is going," warned Abdullah Gul from the moderate pro-Islamic Justice and Development Party.

The main opposition True Path party accused the government of not being decisive enough, but voted in favour of the bill.

The decree empowers the Turkish Government to decide how many soldiers to send and where to send them.

Under Nato's Article 5, which says an attack on one member of the alliance is an attack on all, Turkey could be asked to send troops to Afghanistan.

The article was invoked last week by the United States.

Turkey is already closing co-operating with the US' anti-terror campaign.

In addition to allowing allied planes to use its airspace, Turkey's Incirlik airbase hosts US and British fighter planes, while the Turkish Government has offered to supply Washington with intelligence on Afghanistan.

But public opinion in Turkey appears to be against any further action, with polls showing up to 80% of Turks opposed to greater involvement.