New secularist protests pressure Turkish government

By Hamdi Istanbullu

MANISA, Turkey (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of secularist flag-waving Turks rallied for the third big anti-government protest in a month on Saturday as conflict rages over the role of religion in the Muslim country's politics.

A parliamentary committee on Saturday accepted Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's proposals for constitutional changes to let the people, rather than parliament, elect the president, the Anatolian news agency reported.

The changes, which might increase the chances of the ruling AK party's presidential candidate, former Islamist Abdullah Gul, of becoming head of state, could be approved by lawmakers in coming days.

Tension is high after a warning from the pro-secular army against Foreign Minister Gul and a court decision to annul the first round of parliamentary voting for the presidency.

Marchers in the western city of Manisa, estimated by police to number 60-70,000, called on Saturday for the withdrawal of Gul's candidacy. Two smaller protests were held in other west coast cities.

Gul's candidacy for head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces particularly irritates a military establishment which sees itself as the ultimate guardian of the secular state and has removed four governments in 50 years.

Erdogan, whose party has a majority in parliament, has hit back at secularist critics with unprecedented defiance, bringing forward national elections by more than three months.

Newspapers suggest his proposed constitutional amendment has popular support. But it could face legal challenges, and analysts and diplomats say it will further anger the armed forces and pro-secular elite.