Tony Blair and George Bush appear to have won the endorsement of NATO to start training Iraqi security forces inside Iraq.

A draft deal, which is due to be approved at a NATO heads of government summit in Turkey today, will lead to the arrival of the first alliance troops later this year.

The prime minister flew into Istanbul for the two-day summit last night.

His spokesman said: "Prime minister Allawi’s letter requested NATO help with training to increase Iraq’s indigenous capacity in training. We are hopeful of a positive response to that."

Asked whether the French and Germans would sign up to the training plan, the spokesman said: "The Germans have expressed a willingness to do so outside Iraq. Let’s see what the French position is. The important thing is that training takes place."

Meanwhile Downing Street has played down the possibility of the early return of the four Britons held by the US at Guantanamo Bay.