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LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The British government looks set this week to mobilise troops and reservists ahead of a possible war against Iraq, as the United States builds up its troop presence in the Gulf region.

British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon is due to travel to Turkey on Wednesday and he may make an announcement to parliament on troops before his departure.

Weekend newspapers reported that Britain would send some 20,000 troops to the Gulf and mobilise 7,000 reservists in preparation for war.

Britain has been the United States' staunchest ally in its bid to disarm Iraq of suspected weapons of mass destruction and the United States is preparing to double the 60,000 troops it already has in the Gulf.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, asked whether Hoon would make a statement on Tuesday, said on Monday: "Nothing is finally confirmed on that but it's not impossible. Were there to be an announcement, it would be part of prudent contingency planning."

The spokesman reiterated that war with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was not inevitable, although tensions mounted on Monday as Saddam said he was ready for war and accused United Nations weapons inspectors, who are searching for weapons of mass destruction, of spying.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Monday its inspectors had found nothing suspicious in Iraq so far, but added it was too early to draw conclusions. Baghdad denies having weapons of mass destruction.

If Saddam defies a U.N. resolution on disarmament, Britain and the United States have said they are prepared to use force.

In a pre-planned move, but one that may heighten speculation over war, a Royal Navy task group led by the Ark Royal carrier and including a submarine and a destroyer will set sail for the Far East this weekend, the Ministry of Defence said.

The group will take place in joint military exercises with allies that have been planned for a long time, although the ships will pass through the Gulf en route.

"Obviously, if any vessel is near by and a situation develops, then it is not beyond the realm of possibility that it could become involved...but this is being deployed for an exercise," a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

Last month, defence and shipping sources said British troops were being readied for war and chartering vessels to carry military equipment. One Defence Ministry source said the United States and Britain were planning a massive seaborne invasion of Iraq from the Gulf as the first stage in any ground war. 

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