Turkish PM calls on army to stay out of politics

ANKARA, Aug 21 (Reuters) Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called on the army to stay out of politics following months of tensions between the Islamist-rooted government and the staunchly secular military.

Erdogan's comments came after Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul won most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but fell just short of securing the two-thirds majority in parliament needed to immediately become Turkey's next president.

The army, which has ousted four governments in the past 50 years, has voiced its opposition to Gul becoming head of state.

The army and secular elite blocked Gul's first bid to become president in April because of his Islamist past, triggering a parliamentary election in July which was intended to defuse the crisis over the presidency.

''Let us not mix the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) up with politics. Let it stay in its place. Because all our institutions conduct their duties in line with what is set out in the constitution,'' Erdogan said in an interview on Kanal D late on Monday.

''If you draw them into politics, then why are we here?'' Erdogan asked. ''For us the armed forces are sacred. They have a special place.'' The presidency has traditionally been held by the secular elite and a former Islamist has never been elected president.

Victory for Gul, 56, would complete the AK Party's capture of all key posts in Turkey's political hierarchy.

Gul secured 341 votes in the 550-seat chamber, with no other party supporting him.

He is expected finally to defeat his two nationalist and leftist rivals in a third round of voting in parliament on Aug.

28, when he would need just a simple majority to win.

REUTERS LPB VV1523