Iraq warns Turkey against major invasion

London: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari was quoted on Monday as warning of disastrous regional consequences if Turkey launched a major invasion of Iraq.

The present crisis was "dead serious" and Turkey had not shown interest in Iraqi peace proposals, Zebari told the BBC in an interview.

Zebari was quoted as saying there was nothing to stop Turkey taking action against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) bases in the border mountains.

Turkey has said it may use military solution against PKK rebels based in Iraq. Turkey has sent at least 100,000 troops on the border with Iraq to prepare for a possible incursion.

The large-scale Turkish military build-up had raised fears the Turks were planning something bigger and deeper into northern Iraq, said Zebari.

Such a step, he said, would have "disastrous consequences" for stability in both countries and in the wider region.

"That's why the whole government of Iraq and the whole people of Iraq are united really not to see their sovereignty, their territorial integrity undermined by a friendly neighbouring country," he said.