The National Security Council (MGK), which brings together top civilian and military officials, met for five hours before pronouncing support for a tougher stance against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has intensified its attacks against Ankara's forces in recent months.

The council, led by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, spoke of the need for "better coordination" of the military and police resources in suppressing the Kurdish rebels.

However, in a statement, the council insisted that while the fight would be pursued "with determination" it would not renounce the rule of law and democratic norms.

"No activity which might threaten the indivisible unity of the Turkish nation will be tolerated," the document said, without giving concrete details of the measures that will be introduced.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who earlier signalled tougher measures against rebels after the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, said after the attack that the government had "run out of patience".

Ankara has been revisiting its strategy against the PKK for some time. New measures being considered by the government include sending special police and professional army units to the combat zones along the border with Iraq.

Information gathered by the police and intelligence agents will be pooled together and the Turkish military will receive a new green-light for cross-border operations under the new strategy, said NTV.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community, took up arms in the Kurdish-majority southeast in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed about 45,000 lives.

Turkish jets bombed scores of targets in northern Iraq used as bases by the PKK following a deadly ambush by the outlawed group, the military and rebels said Thursday.

It is the first time in more than a year that the Turkish military has carried out air strikes on PKK bases in northern Iraq.

The national security council's statement also called on Turkey's neighbours "to accept their responsibilities" to eradicate the PKK from their territory, without naming any countries in particular.

The Turkish military said its operations both within Turkey and in parts of Iraq used as a safe haven by the PKK "will continue until it is eradicated."

According to Ankara, there are some 2,000 rebels operating from Iraq, from where they can filter back into Turkey to launch attacks.