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| Turkish secularists in new rally | Turkish secularists in new rally |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| At least one million Turks have rallied in the city of Izmir to protest against any government plans to undermine Turkish secularism. | |
| The major demonstration is the latest since the ruling AK Party nominated Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its candidate for the country's presidency. | The major demonstration is the latest since the ruling AK Party nominated Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its candidate for the country's presidency. |
| Many Turks suspect Mr Gul of having an Islamic agenda, something he denied before withdrawing from his candidacy. | Many Turks suspect Mr Gul of having an Islamic agenda, something he denied before withdrawing from his candidacy. |
| Parliamentary elections scheduled for November are now to be held in July. | Parliamentary elections scheduled for November are now to be held in July. |
| The AK Party - which has roots its in political Islam - argues that a general election will only prove that it commands widespread public support. | The AK Party - which has roots its in political Islam - argues that a general election will only prove that it commands widespread public support. |
| The government has also backed a constitutional reform package that would allow the president to be directly elected by the people. | The government has also backed a constitutional reform package that would allow the president to be directly elected by the people. |
| The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in Istanbul, says an AK Party candidate would be likely to win any presidential vote. | The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in Istanbul, says an AK Party candidate would be likely to win any presidential vote. |
| Opposition alliances | Opposition alliances |
| The demonstration in Izmir - Turkey's third-largest city - was the fourth mass gathering in favour of the republic in as many weeks. | The demonstration in Izmir - Turkey's third-largest city - was the fourth mass gathering in favour of the republic in as many weeks. |
| The danger is still not over. These rallies must continue until there is no longer a threat Neslihan ErkanProtester Q&A: Turkey crisis | The danger is still not over. These rallies must continue until there is no longer a threat Neslihan ErkanProtester Q&A: Turkey crisis |
| Buildings and streets in Izmir were covered in flags and portraits of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the republic. | Buildings and streets in Izmir were covered in flags and portraits of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the republic. |
| Boats flying the flag also joined the demonstration in Izmir's harbour. | Boats flying the flag also joined the demonstration in Izmir's harbour. |
| The main slogan, once again, was that Turkey is secular and will stay secular, our correspondent says. | The main slogan, once again, was that Turkey is secular and will stay secular, our correspondent says. |
| "These rallies have been useful in forcing the government to take a step back, " protester Neslihan Erkan told the Reuters news agency. | "These rallies have been useful in forcing the government to take a step back, " protester Neslihan Erkan told the Reuters news agency. |
| "The danger is still not over. These rallies must continue until there is no longer a threat." | "The danger is still not over. These rallies must continue until there is no longer a threat." |
| Many secularists consider the government's efforts to confirm Mr Gul as president as evidence of a hidden Islamist political agenda. | Many secularists consider the government's efforts to confirm Mr Gul as president as evidence of a hidden Islamist political agenda. |
| Nationalist opposition parties boycotted two parliamentary votes on the issue. | Nationalist opposition parties boycotted two parliamentary votes on the issue. |
| They are now forming strategic alliances to try to weaken the ruling party at the upcoming elections, our correspondent adds. | They are now forming strategic alliances to try to weaken the ruling party at the upcoming elections, our correspondent adds. |
| The military, which regards itself as the guardian of Turkey's secularism, has also indicated its opposition to the AK Party's move. | The military, which regards itself as the guardian of Turkey's secularism, has also indicated its opposition to the AK Party's move. |