Turkey's Gul says AK Party backs his president bid

ANKARA, Aug 14 (Reuters) Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul confirmed today he has the backing of his ruling AK Party in making a fresh bid for the presidency in an election in parliament due to start next week.

Gul told reporters he had requested meetings with the leaders of opposition parties to seek support for his candidacy.

He described as ''beneficial and fruitful'' his talks with the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli. He did not say whether the MHP would back his bid.

REUTERS SBC KP1552