It would not have succeeded as a secular force.

There were fears of the secular armed forces refusing to accept the election result, perhaps even launching yet another coup.

"The secular forces in Turkish society are strong enough to defend themselves," he assured me.

After the Tunisian revolution it was one of the major left-leaning secular political forces.

Policy, as well as honesty, forbids the use of secular force in religious affairs.

It seemed quite impossible that in this Christian era, such a secular force could exist.

Longer term, secular forces for consolidation are still there.

It was also just weeks before the militants opened an offensive against the secular Kurdish forces.

He tried to reassure himself his battle was not with the police or the secular forces massing against him.

The reduced role of the army is positive, but only if secular forces remain in power.