The Turkish armed forces have warned political leaders to avoid provoking military involvement as they try to form a new government.

A statement from Turkey's influential generals said politicians should not speculate publicly about which party the military would favour.

The statement came as leading military and political figures were preparing for a meeting of Turkey's National Security Council.

Correspondents say it appears to be directed at the Islamist Virtue Party -- successor to the banned Welfare Party -- whose leader, Recai Kutan, said on Saturday, he had received positive signals from the army over his bid to become prime minister.