ANKARA. Feb 1: Turkish President Suleyman Demirel said here today that Turkey would retain its secular status which had made it "the most developed Muslim country." Anatolia news agency reported, says AFP.

'Turkey as a secular state which affairs of state and those of religion are kept separate and where minds are free have no fear. Trukey will stay that way." Demirel said in a speech to high school pupils

Demirel said he was the cus todian of the secular republic, and added that Turkey owed its current level of development to the secular and democratic sys tern founded in 1923 by Mustaia Kemal Ataturk

"The Turkish republic is the only secular state among 55 Muslim countries. It is also the one which has seen the most development during this cen tury. he said