ANKARA, March 10: The United States will be allowed to set up nine logistical bases in areas close to the border with Iraq if the Turkish parliament agrees to back US war plans, the NTV news channel said on Monday.

The bases agreement was reached in talks between Ankara and Washington before a stunning vote on March 1 when parliament rejected the deployment of US combat troops in the country, NTV said, quoting a draft memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

A second parliamentary vote could be held on the issue later this month.

Despite parliament’s vote, US personnel have continued to upgrade bases in Turkey and ship equipment to border regions in line with an earlier parliamentary decision allowing such work to go forward.

The Turkish-US accord, according to NTV, allows for the establishment of US logistical bases in nine towns along the borders with Syria and Iraq: Kiziltepe, Dicle, Olayi, Nusaybin, Gaziantep, Oguzeli, Birecik, Sanliurfa and Viransehir.

It also outlines the terms under which US soldiers will be allowed to stay in the country.

One provision gives Turkey the right to demand the departure — or otherwise expel — any personnel without giving a reason, NTV said.

In its failed motion to parliament, the Turkish government had requested approval for the deployment of 62,000 US soldiers in the country.

Officials had said that about 20,000 of these would move on to northern Iraq, while the others would stay in Turkey for logistical support missions.

Uncertainty lingered on Monday on whether parliament will be asked to vote again on the deployment of US soldiers as ruling Ankara party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepared to take over as prime minister, after he won a parliamentary seat in a by-election at the weekend.—AFP