Turkish troops are seen heading toward border with Iraq near the southeastern Turkish city of Nusaybin, 01 Jun 2007

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has warned Turkey against staging cross-border raids against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.

Mr. Maliki said Saturday he will not allow Iraq's largely peaceful Kurdish region to become a battleground.  Speaking alongside Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, Mr. Maliki said they refuse to allow Iraq to be used as a base to attack neighboring countries.

Turkish authorities say Kurdish militants in northern Iraq launch cross-border attacks on Turkey.  Turkish forces have been massing near the Iraq border as speculation grows about a possible incursion into Iraq.

On Friday, the Turkish military also issued a strong warning to Iraqi Kurdish authorities after Turkish officials said Kurdish security forces harassed a group of Turkish officers at a checkpoint.

Mr. Maliki also said Iraqi officials have not discussed establishing long-term U.S. military bases in the country. 

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters earlier this week that American officials are looking at plans for a long-term military presence in Iraq similar to U.S. bases in South Korea.  Mr. Gates said the arrangement would be based on a mutual agreement with the Iraqi government and would limit what U.S. forces could do in the country.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.