Turkey coup attempt: Reaction from around the world

Turkish soldiers secure the area, as supporters of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul’s Taksim square, early Saturday, July 16, 2016. Turkey’s armed forces said it “fully seized control” of the country Friday and its president responded by calling on Turks to take to the streets in a show of support for the government. A loud explosion was heard in the capital, Ankara, fighter jets buzzed overhead, gunfire erupted outside military headquarters and vehicles blocked two major bridges in Istanbul. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

An army group in Turkey officially declared a coup and martial law late on Friday, saying they have “taken control of the country”.

Al Jazeera prepared the statements and reactions from Turkey and leaders around the world.

In a TV statement, the army group said: “Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and the general security that was damaged. All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a FaceTime call to broadcaster CNN Turk, said he remained the leader of the country and the head of the army and called for people to take to the streets against the coup. “We will overcome this,” he said, speaking on a video call to a mobile phone held up to the camera by a presenter. He called on his followers to take to the streets to defend his government and said the coup plotters would pay a heavy price. “I have never recognised any power above the will of the people,” he said.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has called for calm. The UN is seeking to clarify the situation.

US President Barack Obama urged all parties in Turkey to back the “democratically-elected” government. Detailing a call between Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry, who in Russia for talks on Syria, the White House said both agreed “all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed”.

Britain’s new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was “very concerned about the situation unfolding”. He directed Britons to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, which advises “to avoid public places and remain vigilant” until the situation becomes clearer.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javed Zarif,said on Twitter: “Deeply concerned about the crisis in Turkey. Stability, democracy & safety of Turkish people are paramount. Unity & prudence are imperative.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other Russian officials have called on their countrymen in Turkey to stay indoors amid uncertainty about whether a military coup is taking place.

Former Turkish President Abdullah Gul told CNN Turk that “Turkey is not a Latin America country … I’m calling those who attempt to overthrow the government should go back to their barracks.”

Former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Al Jazeera: “Turkey is a democracy … I don’t think this attempt will be successful.” His voice shaking, he added: “There cannot be any attempts to destabilise Turkey.. We’re facing so many crisis in Syria and other regions, it’s time to have solidairty with the Turkish people … At this moment people in different cities are in the streets, the squares [protesting] against this coup d’etat attempt.”

The head of the largest opposition party in Turkey, Kemal Kalicdaroglu, of the centre-left People’s Republican Party (CHP), has come out against the coup in a series of tweets, saying the country has “suffered a lot” in past military takeovers.

The democratic order in Turkey must be respected and all must be done to protect lives, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said on Twitter.

European Council President Donald Tusk called on Saturday for a swift return to Turkey’s constitutional order. “Turkey is a key partner for the European Union. The EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law,” Tusk said at a regional summit in Mongolia. “We call for a swift return to Turkey’s constitutional order,” he said.

Slovakia, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, said it was following events and coordinating with EU partners. “Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak has been in intensive contact all evening with EU high foreign affairs representative Federica Mogherini and other European colleagues,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “He has also been in contact with partners in the Turkish government with the aim to clarify the situation in Turkey and discuss steps that the EU should take with the aim to maintain and support democracy and stability in the country.”

Qatar denounced the coup attempt, according to a statement carried on state media.

Celebratory gunfire erupted in Syria’s capital Damascus as word got out that there was an attempt to topple Erdogan, according to a Reuters news agency report. People took the streets to celebrate there and in the government-held section of the divided city of Aleppo.

Greek Prime Minister Alexander Tsipras was briefed on the coup and the country’s military forces were holding emergency meetings, according to government officials.

Bulgaria bolstered its patrols on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and appealed to Bulgarians to restrain from travelling to Turkey, the government press office said in a statement. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov held talks with the security and intelligence services on the situation in Turkey, while the foreign ministry urged Bulgarians already in Turkey to stay indoors and avoid any public places.

Mexico’s foreign ministry advised its citizens in Turkey to remain indoors, as it warned against travel to the country until the situation was clear.

The Turkish lira fell heavily after the coup attempt was launched, as much as 5.5 percent against the US dollar.