"We have solved all the outstanding issues with respect to providing supplies through Turkey to those units" in northern Iraq, Powell told a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

The supplies would mainly be food and fuel, Powell said.

He added, however, that possible search-and-rescue operations would be conducted out of Iraq, contradicting earlier reports that such operations might be carried out from Turkish soil.

"Once we are able to set up our forces in northern Iraq, then some of the issues with respect to search-and-rescue can be dealt with, handled out of Iraq," he said.

Gul, for his part, said that the provision of supplies to US forces would not require parliamentary permission and could be dealt with directly by the government.

He also added that Turkey would continue to allow US warplanes to make emergency landings on its bases and possible transfers of wounded through its territory.

SPACE.WIRE