Erdogan, speaking to reporters on his return from a two-day visit to Romania, said that military action was part of a "process," which includes his meeting with US President George W. Bush at the White House next month.

But he also warned that "what may or may not happen until (my) trip to America, I cannot say -- we are now in a constant state of alert."

Erdogan spoke shortly after Turkish armed forces chief General Yasar Buyukanit told reporters that military strikes in northern Iraq against bases of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were unlikely before Erdogan's US visit.

"The Prime Minister's visit (to Washington) is important," the Chief of General Staff said as he chatted to journalists at an embassy reception.

"We will wait for his return," he said.