Turkey's secularism 'threatened'
There are regular protests over defending the secular state
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Turkey's outgoing president has warned the country's secular system faces its greatest threat since the founding of the republic in 1923.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said attempts to bring religion into politics were stirring social tensions.
His comments come as Turkey prepares for elections which could see the current religious-minded prime minister becoming president if he stands.
A mass protest is planned to take place on Saturday in the capital, Ankara.
The head of Turkey's powerful military recently stressed that the next president must be a faithful follower of the established secular order.
President Sezer issued a stark warning that the secular republic was in danger - its fundamental principles being debated openly for the first time.
clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk