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Huge rally for Turkish secularism Huge rally for Turkish secularism
(40 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of people are rallying in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a vote for the country's next president.Tens of thousands of people are rallying in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a vote for the country's next president.
The protesters are concerned that the ruling party's candidate for the post remains loyal to his Islamic roots.The protesters are concerned that the ruling party's candidate for the post remains loyal to his Islamic roots.
The candidate, Abdullah Gul, earlier said he would not quit despite growing criticism from opponents and the army.The candidate, Abdullah Gul, earlier said he would not quit despite growing criticism from opponents and the army.
Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round vote in parliament as opposition MPs boycotted the vote.Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round vote in parliament as opposition MPs boycotted the vote.
They are also challenging its validity in the Constitutional Court.They are also challenging its validity in the Constitutional Court.
An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.
Mr Gul has steered Turkey's European Union accession talks as foreign minister and is seen as less confrontational than Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development (AK) party.
ABDULLAH GUL 1950: Born in Kayseri1991: Elected to parliament for pro-Islamist Welfare Party2001: One of founders of AK2002-03: Prime minister2003: Foreign minister, leading EU accession talks Profile: Abdullah Gul
"The president must be loyal to secular principles. If I am elected, I will act accordingly," he said after his nomination for the presidency.
But some analysts say he is closer to his religious roots, and his wife would be the first First Lady to wear a headscarf, a deeply divisive statement in Turkey.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says secularists are concerned that if he is elected, the AK party will control the presidency, the government and parliament.
'Test case''Test case'
Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, took place in Caglayan Square in Istanbul.Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, took place in Caglayan Square in Istanbul.
TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980 Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997
"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," shouted demonstrators from all over the country as they waved flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic."Turkey is secular and will remain secular," shouted demonstrators from all over the country as they waved flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
Many sang nationalist songs and called for the government's resignation.Many sang nationalist songs and called for the government's resignation.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford describes the rally as an enormous show of force. More than 300,000 people attended a similar event two weeks ago. Our correspondent describes the rally as an enormous show of force. More than 300,000 people attended a similar event two weeks ago.
On Saturday, Cemil Cicek, spokesman for the ruling party, the Islamist-rooted AK (Justice and Development), responded to the unusually forthright army statement. On Saturday, AK spokesman Cemil Cicek responded to Friday's unusually forthright army statement.
The military, which led coups in the past, said it was concerned by the party's choice of presidential candidate.The military, which led coups in the past, said it was concerned by the party's choice of presidential candidate.
Mr Cicek said any intervention was "inconceivable in a democratic state".Mr Cicek said any intervention was "inconceivable in a democratic state".
"The chief of the general staff is answerable to the prime minister," said Mr Cicek, who is also justice minister. "The chief of the general staff is answerable to the prime minister," he added.
The European Union warned the army not to interfere in politics, saying the controversy was a test case for the military to respect democracy.
Our correspondent says the army is sending a signal that it will not accept Mr Gul's candidacy.
Mr Cicek told reporters that the government had the "primary duty in protecting the basic tenets of the state".
History of coupsHistory of coups
Our correspondent in Istanbul says the army statement late on Friday night caused a real stir in Turkey.Our correspondent in Istanbul says the army statement late on Friday night caused a real stir in Turkey.
TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980 Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997
Many also believe that it is also a message to the judges in the constitutional court to declare the vote invalid and dissolve parliament, she adds.Many also believe that it is also a message to the judges in the constitutional court to declare the vote invalid and dissolve parliament, she adds.
The army has carried out three coups in the last 50 years - in 1960, 1971 and 1980 - and in 1997 it intervened to force Turkey's first Islamist Prime Minister, Necmettin Erbakan, from power.The army has carried out three coups in the last 50 years - in 1960, 1971 and 1980 - and in 1997 it intervened to force Turkey's first Islamist Prime Minister, Necmettin Erbakan, from power.
The AK is an offshoot of Mr Erbakan's Welfare Party, which was banned in 1998.The AK is an offshoot of Mr Erbakan's Welfare Party, which was banned in 1998.
The secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), which boycotted Friday's vote, said it would challenge the election in court because a quorum of MPs had not been obtained - a charge the AK denies.The secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), which boycotted Friday's vote, said it would challenge the election in court because a quorum of MPs had not been obtained - a charge the AK denies.
A second round of voting is due on Wednesday and the court has said it will try to rule on the appeal before the vote.A second round of voting is due on Wednesday and the court has said it will try to rule on the appeal before the vote.