Turkey's President Abdullah Gul urged the government to exercise caution over a constitutional reform package due to be presented to parliament on Tuesday, warning that some of the proposals appeared unrealistic.

Speaking to reporters prior to his departure for Pakistan at Ankara's Esenboga International Airport, President Gul said that there was a draft law on the constitutional amendments and one of them would make it possible to try public officials, including commanders, at the High Tribunal".

Asked if he agreed whether the constitutional amendments would make his authority stronger as a president, Gul said that there were views on which he agreed and others he did not.

Gul, who was a member of the ruling AK Party before becoming president, singled out a proposal on the possible appointment of non-judges to the court. "For example, I honestly did not find it very realistic for the president to appoint two Turkish citizens to the Constitutional Court," he said.

Gul also said high level Turkish public officials might be tried by the High Tribunal whenever necessary.

Gul's comments came after the possible constitutional amendment that would open the way for the trial of Turkish commanders in the High Tribunal.

The main measures proposed will change the way judges are appointed, make it harder for courts to ban political parties, and allow military officers, including the head of the armed forces, to be tried in civilian, rather than military courts.

Agencies