The BBC's Chris Morris: "Focus is turning to reconstruction of tens of thousands of collapsed buildings"

Around 26,500 convicts serving terms of up to 12 years are to be released within the next three weeks, and another 32,000 will have their sentences reduced, according to TRT television. The move will affect 85% of all Turkey's prisoners and detainees.

But those facing charges of corruption and sub-standard building practices following the devastating earthquake in north-east Turkey will not benefit from the amnesty.

The draft bill was recently amended to include a specific clause referring to "causing danger through negligence".

Ocalan's death sentence stands

Most of the estimated 10,000 prisoners who will not qualify are those who were sentenced under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws - most often applied in connection with the Kurdish issue.

The death sentence passed against the Kurdish rebel leader, Abdallah Ocalan, still stands.

Among the other non-pardonable categories are rape, narcotics offences, arson, embezzlement and misuse of public office.

Ross Mountain, who led a UN humanitarian team to the stricken region said rescue workers had been "appalled" by the quality of cement and lack of reinforcement in collapsed buildings.

Mr Mountain was speaking in Geneva on Friday.

As the Turkish authorities begin investigating the widespread allegations of shoddy building practices, a World Bank team has begun an inspection tour of the region to calculate how much long-term aid is needed.

Still in mourning as reconstruction begins

BBC Ankara correspondent Chris Morris says current estimates are running at about $10bn.

Seven large tent cities have been set up, but many people still mourning dead relatives and friends still face the prospect of spending several weeks out of doors.

Our correspondent says that if the government wants to win back the confidence of angry survivors in the disaster zone, it will have to prove that it can manage the huge task of reconstruction quickly and effectively.

The BBC's Jonathan Charles reports on the religious groups exploiting public discontent

In the meantime, it faces a growing backlash from the homeless, who complain that little is being done to help them.

The majority of Turks are Muslims, and some believe that the quake was a punishment from God because the secular state has steadily been moving away from religion.

The BBC's Jonathan Charles says some religious groups are exploiting the discontent.