Turkish PM calls for unity over presidential poll

ANKARA, Apr 30 (Reuters) Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan appealed for national unity in a television address today, in a clear drive to ease a standoff between secularists and his Islamist-rooted government over presidential elections.

''Unity, togetherness, solidarity, these are the things we need most... Turkey is growing and developing very fast... We must protect this atmosphere of stability and tranquility,'' he said, according to a text of the address received by Reuters.

His speech was recorded on Saturday, a day after the army threatened to intervene in the presidential poll process. The army, which sees itself as the guardian of Turkey's secular system, has ousted four governments from power since 1960.

Erdogan's ruling AK Party has named Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its presidential candidate and he has refused to stand aside.

Parliament, in which the AK Party has a big majority, elects the president in Turkey.

Reuters JK DB2321