Turkish PM says Pope comments on Islam "ugly"

ANKARA, Sep 16 (Reuters) Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan today said comments in a speech by Pope Benedict about Islam were ''ugly'' and said the Pontiff should withdraw them.

''The Pope spoke like a politician rather than as a man of religion,'' Erdogan said in televised remarks about the Pope's speech on Tuesday in Germany.

''The statements are ugly and unfortunate. The Pope needs to take a step back to preserve inter-religious peace,'' said Erdogan, a pious Muslim with roots in political Islam.

Erdogan was speaking before the Vatican issued a statement saying the Pope was sorry for upsetting Muslims in his lecture.

Benedict is due to visit Turkey in November.

REUTERS SY RK1855