"I guess this can take a few months," Gul, who visited Washington last week to discuss the issue, told NTV television.

The Turkish government sees a US request for military help as an opprtunity to improve ties, which have sunk to an all-time low following Ankara's failure to back the war in Iraq and the US arrest of 11 Turkish soldiers in Kurdish-held northern Iraq.

"I believe the problems (in Turkish-US ties) have been overcome... They are ready to work with us in Iraq," Gul said.

But anti-US sentiment is still running high in the Turkish parliament, which, Gul said, would have to approve any ultimate government decision to contribute troops to security operations in Iraq.

The legislature will be in summer recess from August to October.

Gul said Turkey did not want to be just a "gendarmerie force" in Iraq, but also wanted a say in the country's post-war reconstruction.

"Anything like 'Take that many soldiers and use them as you want' is not possible," the minister said, adding that his country would insist that its force be placed under Turkish command.

He expressed hope that a Turkish military role in Iraq could help the country win a say in the political reshaping of the country.

Ankara fears that the Iraqi Kurds could gain too much influence and self-rule following the downfall of Saddam Hussein, a prospect that could set an example for their restive cousins in Turkey.

WAR.WIRE