ANKARA — Turkey's new military leadership has pledged to defend the nation's secular tradition from pro-Islamic elements.

The nation's new chief of staff, Gen. Ilker Basbug warned Islamic fundamentalists that Turkey would remain a secular society regardless of the pro-Islamic government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. Basbug, who did not cite politicians, said many Turks were concerned over the growing influence of Islam in public life.

"Providing everyone with decent living conditions is a duty of the social state," Basbug said. "A weakening of the social state pushes people towards religious communities. Some religious communities exert greater influence in the economy, socio-political life, and promote their religious lifestyle."

Basbug was joined by other senior commanders in warning against efforts to erode secularism in Turkey. Land Forces Command chief Gen. Isik Kosaner, who replaced Basbug, warned that the military would not be silent in the debate over the future of the secular state.

"The Turkish military takes its side in the secularism discussion," Kosaner said.

The chief of staff also urged the government to improve defense and other cooperation with the United States. Basbug said the Turkish military has restored high-level cooperation with Washington.

"One of our duties is to protect this cooperation," Basbug said. "Turkish-American relations are well rooted and are built on common values. Turkish-American relations are too extensive to be limited to a certain subject."

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