"In recent days, the problem during the presidential election has focused on secularism discussions," a statement by the General Staff said.

"This situation has been anxiously followed by the Turkish Armed Forces. The Turkish Armed Forces maintains its firm determination to carry out its clearly specified duties to protect these principles and has absolute loyalty and belief in this determination."

The General Staff intervention on late April 27, which prompted warnings from the European Union, suggested that the military could block or oust Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP. Over the last 50 years, the military has ousted four elected governments, the last one in 1997.

"It should not be forgotten that the Turkish Armed Forces are a side in this debate and are a staunch defender of secularism," the General Staff said. "The Turkish Armed Forces are against those debates and will display their position and attitudes when it becomes necessary. No one should doubt that."

AKP has named Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its candidate to replace President Ahmet Sezer, a former general. Amid warnings of a confrontation with the military, Gul has said he would uphold Turkish secularism, a pledge dismissed by his critics.

Hours before the military statement, Turkey's secular opposition boycotted a parliamentary vote for president. AKP managed to obtain 357 votes for Gul, a huge majority, but 10 votes short of the required two-thirds.

"The ones who damage the stability of Turkey will pay the price," Erdogan said.

The largest secular opposition faction, the Republican People's Party, arguing that parliament did not have a quorum, appealed to Turkey's Constitutional Court to annul the vote. Officials expect any court intervention to prompt early national elections that would either be suspended or influenced by the military.

"I would like to underline that it is inconceivable in a democratic state based on the rule of law for the General Staff, which remains under the orders of the prime minister, to speak out against the government," Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Saturday. "The primary duty in protecting the basic tenets of the state falls on the government."

In its statement, the military, without citing Erdogan, reported the rising influence of Islam in government and public life. The General Staff said Turkey's secular mandate has been violated by the teaching of Koran and Islamic ritual in the nation's public schools.

"The fact that a large portion of such activities was conducted with the consent and approval of local government offices intensifies the gravity of the issue," the military said.

Unless the military intervenes, Gul's confirmation as president appeared assured. Parliament was expected to schedule another vote this week, and this time Gul would require a simple majority. AKP controls 353 of the 554 seats in parliament.

"Those who are engaged in such activities do not refrain from exploiting our people's holy religious sentiments and try to hide their real intentions, which amount to challenging the state, behind religion," the military statement said.