The controversy was "not worthy of Turkey... it's most regrettable," Gul told journalists.

But only a few hours later, army chief General Hilmi Ozkok voiced concern at the government's appointment of Islamists to key administrative posts, according to journalists at a restricted press conference he gave.

The ruling Justice and Development Party has its roots in the Islamist movement in Turkey.

"General Ozkok voiced general concerns," a senior journalist with the newspaper Milliyeta told the CNN-Turk television channel:

"He particularly made clear the unease (in the army) concerning state appointments."

Some 20 journalists from leading dailies were invited to Ozkok's press conference, which was barred to pro-Islamists and foreign correspondents.

The centre-left Cumhuriyet newspaper reported last week that Ozkok had told Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the military feared a package of planned reforms could encourage radical Islamist and separatist movements.

The reform plans are being watched closely by the army, which sees itself as the guardian of the country's republican and secular values.

The report said Ozkok had last week told Erdogan of discontent in the military hierarchy about Islamic radicalisation in Turkey, which, although a Muslim country, has a strictly secular system of government.

Erdogan denied the newspaper report.

"There may be nuances among opinions, but there are no divergences on basic principles," Ozkok was quoted as saying Monday in reference to the secular nature of the Turkish state.

The army chief also spoke in favour of Turkey joining the European Union, but "on condition that national unity is not questioned," the editor of the English-language Turkish Daily News, Ilnur Cevik, quoted him as saying.

According to newspaper reports, the army fears that pro-European reforms currently under consideration could encourage separatist movements, such as that in the restless Kurdish minority community.

The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK, now known as Kadek) led an armed rebellion between 1984 and 1999.

New reforms prepared by the government but not yet submitted to parliament foresee removing obstacles to freedom of expression and religion, and allowing private radio and television stations to broadcast in Kurdish.

Reports say the Secretary-General of Turkey's National Security Council -- the organ used by the army to influence government politics -- has expressed opposition to several reforms, including broadcasts in Kurdish.

In a confidential letter to Erdogan, General Tuncer Kilinc is reported to have criticised the government's intention to abolish an article of the law on fighting terrorism, and its plans to allow foreign observers to monitor elections.

An improvement in Turkey's human rights situation is one of the main changes the EU wants to see before its leaders are due to decide next year whether to begin formal negotiations over Ankara's EU membership.

In his remarks Monday, Gul noted newspaper reports were appearing as Turkey was more involved than ever in a rapprochement with the European Union.

"It is sad that these kind of insane discussions take place in Turkey," he said.

The government says it has parted with Islamist founding principles, but is still suspected by many of a hidden agenda.

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