“If we are strategic partners or model partners, do what is necessary”, Erdogan said near his home in Istanbul.
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Turkey’s state-run news agency says authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of Erdogan’s top military aide, Col. Ali Yazici.
Turkey is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member with the second biggest military in the Western alliance, and is one of the most important allies of the United States in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
Secretary of State John Kerry said the USA would entertain an extradition request for Gulen.
Gulen, in his mid 70s, came to the U.S.in the late 1990s. “And obviously, we invite the government of Turkey, as we always do, to present us with any legitimate evidence that withstands scrutiny”.
“I can imagine that a certain number of military will have to answer for what they did or what they didn’t do”.
A Turkish official told AFP on Saturday that Ankara suspected Incirlik was used to refuel military aircraft “hijacked” by the coup plotters on Friday night. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, denied the accusation and condemned the mutineers.
But, he added: “Through military interventions, democracy can not be achieved”. His movement, called Hizmet, includes think tanks, schools and various media enterprises.
Speaking during a trip to Luxembourg, Kerry said he hoped the constitutional process would be followed when dealing with those behind the attempted coup.
Kerry said the U.S. would provide assistance in the investigation, but warned that any suggestions that the U.S. was somehow involved would be detrimental to U.S.-Turkey relations.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan once regarded Fethullah Gulen as an ally in his effort to cement power, then as a rival, and now as a mortal enemy set on ousting him through a military coup. “If we need to stand against the Islamists, I will”.
The White House said afterward that Obama reiterated the “unwavering support” by the U.S. for Erdogan’s government. “Now today after the coup I say it again”.
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Forces loyal to Turkey’s president quashed a coup attempt in a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire that left some 250 people dead and over 1,400 wounded Saturday. They will pay a heavy price for this…
