"The developments in Kirkuk could have a negative effect on the region, whereas reconciliation in this city would reflect positively on the whole region," Gul told a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.

The minister called for "preserving the unity of Iraqi soil and the unity of Iraqi politics because a divided Iraq would cause aftershocks throughout the region."

Kirkuk, which Iraqi Kurds want to make part of their autonomous region, has a large population of Sunni and Shiite Arabs, as well as Turkmen, making for a fragile ethnic mix.

Turkey sees itself as the traditional protector of the Turkmen people who, together with the Arabs, complain of being bullied by the Kurds who make up half the population of the city and control the security services.

With its own large Kurdish minority, Turkey has viewed the increasing independence of the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region with deep misgivings and accuses the regional government of supporting anti-Turkish Kurdish guerillas.

Gul's warning was backed by Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa who emphasised the organisation's commitment to Iraqi unity.

"We must treat the issue of sectarianism based on clear principles... preserving the unity of Iraq and rejecting its division," he said.