ANKARA - "Nobody can place a political ban on others. It is out of the question that I should rule myself out as a candidate (for the presidency)," Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday.
Holding a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gul said, "we should act in line with the course that Turkish nation showed with the parliamentary elections."
Asked whether or not he will run for the presidential election again, Gul stated, "nobody can place a political ban on others. It is out of the question that I should rule myself out as a candidate. These matters will become clear during the coming period. We should act according to the democracy. The will of the people is clear. We should respect it."
Stating that a new page has opened, Gul indicated, "I believe that we will carry out the upcoming process maturely to strengthen Turkey and its esteem."
He remarked, "I hope everybody in the parliament will take part in the process in an active and constructive way."
Asked whether Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit might agree on another name for presidency during a meeting at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Gul said, "it is out of question."
-AL-MALIKI'S VISIT-
Asked about Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's planned visit to Turkey, Gul stated, "when our party's election campaign continued, we also focused on several issues including Iraq, fight against terrorism and foreign policy. We had talks with Iraqi government. Iraqi authorities said that Prime Minister al-Maliki is eager to visit Turkey to discuss these matters. We have already invited him. He will visit the country soon."