Doubts over Turkish leader's election

Erdogan is hoping to stand for election in February

Turkey's chief prosecutor, Sabih Kanadoglu, has said that the leader of the governing party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, should not be allowed to stand in a by-election that would allow him to enter parliament and become prime minister.

Mr Kanadoglu said only those qualified to stand in the November general election should be allowed to stand in a by-election.

Last month, members of the Turkish parliament voted to change the constitution so that Mr Erdogan - who was banned from sitting in parliament because of a conviction - could run for office.

Mr Erdogan was convicted in 1998 for inciting racial hatred.

Correspondents say the chief prosecutor has no direct role in deciding whether Mr Erdogan can run for office, but his opinion may carry weight with the electoral authorities who have the final say.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service