ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a former Islamist standing for president, pledged Tuesday to defend the country's secular principles if he is elected later this month.
"The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state based on the rule of law. Protecting and strengthening these principles would be my first priority," Gul told a press conference after formally applying to run for president.
08/14/2007 13:05 GMT