ISTANBUL
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul has confirmed Sunday that he will not stand in forthcoming presidential election due on August 10.
"I already told this to Mr. Prime Minister before the March 30 local elections. I won't be a candidate," Gul told reporters in Istanbul.
Turks will go to polls on August 10 to choose their first popularly-elected president. If no candidate can secure more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, a runoff will be held on August 24 between the top two candidates.
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party is widely expected to name Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its candidate.
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