ANKARA, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Wednesday the government was drawing up plans to authorise a military incursion into northern Iraq to crush Kurdish rebels there if this is deemed necessary.

"(Preparations on the proposal) have started and are continuing," Erdogan told reporters in answer to a question as he arrived at parliament.

Parliament would have to grant its permission to troops to cross the border into Iraq. Political analysts say a major military operation remains unlikely, given the opposition of the United States, but Erdogan is under pressure to act tough after a series of deadly rebel attacks on Turkish security forces.

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