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Secularists to rally in Istanbul Gul stands firm on Turkish race
(about 5 hours later)
Supporters of Turkey's secular system are to hold a rally in Istanbul amid a growing political crisis over the future of the country's presidency. Abdullah Gul has said he will not withdraw as ruling party candidate for Turkey's presidency, despite mounting criticism from opponents and the army.
Tensions have risen over the ruling Islamist-rooted AK party's nomination of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round vote in parliament as opposition MPs boycotted the vote and challenged its validity in court.
The demonstration follows a threat by the army to defend the secular system, - intervention criticised by the AK. An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.
Supporters of the secular system are holding a major rally in Istanbul.
Two weeks ago a similar rally in Ankara attracted hundreds of thousands of secular supporters.Two weeks ago a similar rally in Ankara attracted hundreds of thousands of secular supporters.
Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, will take place in Caglayan Square in Istanbul. Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, is taking place in Caglayan Square in Istanbul.
'Test case''Test case'
Earlier, Cemil Cicek, spokesman for the AK (Justice and Development) party, responded to an unusual statement by the army vowing to defend the secular system. On Saturday, Cemil Cicek, spokesman for the ruling party, the Islamist-rooted AK (Justice and Development), responded to the 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. TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980 Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997"The chief of the general staff is answerable to the prime minister," said Mr Cicek, who is also justice minister. TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980 Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997
The European Union warned the army not to interfere in politics, saying the controversy was a test case for the military to respect democracy.The European Union warned the army not to interfere in politics, saying the controversy was a test case for the military to respect democracy.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says the army is sending a signal that it will not accept the candidate of the AK, Mr Gul, as the country's next president. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says the army is sending a signal that it will not accept Mr Gul's candidacy.
The foreign minister narrowly lost in the first round of the presidential election, which was held by parliament, on Friday.
Mr Cicek told reporters that the government had the "primary duty in protecting the basic tenets of the state".Mr Cicek told reporters that the government had the "primary duty in protecting the basic tenets of the state".
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has been meeting his cabinet to discuss the situation.Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has been meeting his cabinet to discuss the situation.
According to Mr Cicek, the prime minister had a "useful and productive" telephone conversation with army chief Gen Yasar Buyukanit on Saturday afternoon.According to Mr Cicek, the prime minister had a "useful and productive" telephone conversation with army chief Gen Yasar Buyukanit on Saturday afternoon.
Turkey is an EU candidate but entry negotiations have been partially frozen because of a dispute over Cyprus, and the EU is also concerned that Turkey's commitment to political reform is weakening.Turkey is an EU candidate but entry negotiations have been partially frozen because of a dispute over Cyprus, and the EU is also concerned that Turkey's commitment to political reform is weakening.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the row was "a clear test case whether the Turkish armed forces respect democratic secularization and democratic values".EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the row was "a clear test case whether the Turkish armed forces respect democratic secularization and democratic values".
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.
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.