Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) has recommended taking economic action against the separatist PKK rebels based in Iraq.

This call can be interpreted as a warning sign signaled by the MGK to the northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish administration to act against the rebels in order to prevent a major Turkish military incursion.

The statement did not say what measures should be taken or which groups would be targeted, but Ankara has strongly criticized the Iraqi Kurdish administration for failing to curb the activities of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) against Turkey's interests.

While Turkey's Prime Minister, Erdogan, signed a strategic partnership agreement with his British counterpart Gordon Brown in London yesterday, he was quick to say that Turkey could not wait forever for the Iraqi government to act against the PKK, adding that Turkey could resort to any possible means including economic and military options to hold back threats posed by PKK to his country.

Erdogan's ruling AK Party has said economic options may include cutting off electricity supplies, to which Northern Iraq is heavily dependent on Turkey, and halting road traffic at the Habur border gate.

The MGK statement followed a six-hour meeting, chaired by President Abdullah Gul. Erdogan and General and Yasar Buyukanit also attended the meeting.

MMS/MMN