"Very important talks are under way. There are positive results, everything is happening as planned," Askeri told journalists, adding that a second round of talks would follow the initial 90-minute session later in the day.

The Turkish side has refrained from comment on the discussions, aimed at dissuading Turkey from launching military incursions into neighbouring Iraq against bases of the armed separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Iraq's Defence Minister Abdel Qader Mohammed Jassim and National Security Minister Shirwan al-Waeli arrived Thursday for the talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Interior Minister Besir Atalay.

Tensions have risen since the Turkish parliament last week authorised the government to order military incursions against the bases of the PKK, which has been waging a bloody campaign for self-rule in southeast Turkey since 1974.

They peaked after the PKK ambushed a military patrol last Sunday killing 12 soldiers and capturing eight.

The Turkish army has since massed men and materiel along the border, and reported it had killed more than 60 Kurdish rebels in fighting since Sunday's ambush.

The Turks have long complained of what they call US and Iraqi inaction in dealing with the PKK in northern Iraq, where the rebels enjoy safe haven.

Washington and Baghdad have vowed to make good on promises to crack down on the PKK, but Turkish leaders, facing strong domestic pressure for rapid military action, have voiced mounting exasperation.