ANKARA Turkey's top court outlawed the pro-Islamic Virtue Party for anti-secular activities on Friday and stripped only two of its 102 deputies of their parliamentary mandates, reports quoted court President Mustafa Bumin as announcing.

The decision meant that Turkey would evade much-feared by-elections, which would have become necessary if at least 20 MPs had lost their seats.

The verdict is expected to relieve the embattled government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, which feared political instability from the new elections at a time when it is battling a severe economic crisis with IMF support.

The Virtue Party, led by Necmettin Erbakan, was Turkey's main opposition party and its third biggest political force. The party was accused of activities that violate the secular status of the mainly Muslim country.

Five party members, including the two ousted MPs -- Nazli Ilicak and Bekir Sobaci, were banned from politics for five years for acts and remarks, which had prompted the ban. Turkish Armed Forces are behind the ban of the Virtue Party. They struck their hands into politics as they claim that they are guardians of secular system of Turkey.

Former prime minister Necmettin Erbakan was very popular not only in Turkey but also entire region. The generals opposed his government and toppled it and his Refa (Welfare) Party was dissolved.

When Erbakan visited Iran, the generals and also the U.S. voiced their anger. The visit of Erbakan to Iran sparked fierce opposition from Turkey's other allies in the NATO and Israel.

The generals are simply serving the interest of the Zionists and the United States.