The US has warned the Turkish Labour Minister against giving bogus remarks as to whether the US was involved in the recent failed military coup, saying such claims are “utterly false and harmful” to their relations.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was speaking after Turkey’s labour minister suggested the US was behind the coup.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the US to extradite US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen. Once allies, Mr Erdogan has long accused Mr Gulen and his supporters of plotting against him.
Mr Gulen, speaking from his home in Pennsylvania, denied the claims and said “as someone who suffered under multiple military coups during the past five decades, it is especially insulting to be accused of having any link to such an attempt”.
The attempted coup began on Friday night when a faction of the military took over Istanbul and attacked parliament buildings in Ankara.
During the siege, 161 civilians and police and more than 1,440 injured.
Nearly 3,000 soldiers were detained and some 2,700 judges were sacked on Saturday following the investigation as to who was involved in overthrowing the current government.
Erdogan should resign.