Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spoken defiantly to crowds of jubilant supporters in Istanbul, vowing to stay in power hours after an army faction dramatically tried to topple the government.
Erdogan’s arrival in Istanbul from the coastal city of Marmaris came after Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told broadcaster NTV on Saturday that the situation in the country was “largely under control”.
At least 60 people were killed across Turkey during the coup attempt, a senior official told news agencies. Some 754 members of the armed forces were detained across the country, the state-run Anadolu Agency said.
Speaking at a news conference, Erdogan said the attempt to push him from power was “an act of treason” and that those behind the plot would “pay a heavy price”. He said said he would stay with his “people” and not go anywhere.
PUNTLAND POST