"An anti-chemical warfare unit of 50 people will come to Turkey," visiting Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller told a press conference held jointly with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan following bilateral talks, according to Anatolia.

Miller added that the team would be allowed to operate only on Turkish territory, without saying when it would arrive.

NATO countries have already sent to Turkey Patriot anti-missile systems and AWACS radar aircraft, and have pledged to supply the country with protection materials and equipment to guard against possible chemical and biological attacks.

The war in Iraq was high on the agenda of the talks between Miller and Erdogan, both of whose countries have provided support for the US-led coalition fighting the Baghdad regime.

Turkey -- though reluctantly -- opened its airspace to US and British war planes, while Poland sent elite troops to help secure Iraqi oil rigs.

"It is our common conviction that the war should end as soon as possible. Humanity can no longer tolerate the deaths of children, women and defenseless people," Erdogan said.

The two prime ministers witnessed the signing of two agreements between their countries -- one on cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts and the second on enhancing cultural exchanges.

Miller was due to hold talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc later on Monday.

SPACE.WIRE