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| Turkey coup attempt a 'black stain on our democracy' – latest updates | Turkey coup attempt a 'black stain on our democracy' – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.40pm BST | |
| 12:40 | |
| Lunchtime summary | |
| Jamie Grierson | |
| Here’s a summary of events in Turkey overnight and into Saturday. | |
| 12.28pm BST | |
| 12:28 | |
| Here’s a round-up of global reaction to the failed coup in Turkey: | |
| Britain | |
| British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he had spoken to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to underline support for Turkey’s “democratic elected government and institutions” in the wake of the overnight coup attempt. | |
| The Foreign Office is advising Britons in Turkey to stay indoors, avoid public places, especially demonstrations, and remain vigilant. | |
| It says “the situation now appears quieter in Istanbul, and the bridges across the Bosphorus are reopening. But there are reports of tank fire and small arms fire in Ankara.” | |
| British Airways says it is canceling all flights to and from Turkey Saturday, but budget airline easyJet says it plans to runs its scheduled flights, largely to Turkish resort towns. The airline says the schedule “will be kept under continuous review.” | |
| Nato | |
| NATO’s chief says all alliance personnel and military units in Turkey are “safe and secure” following the attempted coup. | |
| NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a Twitter post that he had spoken to NATO’s supreme commander, U.S. Army Gen. Curtis M. Scapparrotti, who “confirms that all NATO personnel and units in Turkey are safe and secure.” | |
| The alliance chief also tweeted that he welcomed “the strong support shown by the people and all political parties to democracy and to the democratically elected gov of Turkey.” | |
| Spain | |
| Spain’s acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo condemned the attempted coup, telling Spanish national television that his government completely supports the Turkish government headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. | |
| He says “without a doubt we support respecting the constitution and democratically elected institutions, and we condemn all coups without reservation.” | |
| Garcia Margallo spoke by telephone from Mongolia, where he is attending the ASEM Asia-Europe Meeting. | |
| Syrian opposition | |
| The exiled Syrian opposition congratulated the Turkish people for halting the attempted military coup. | |
| The Turkey-based Syrian National Coalition said Turkey has protected its democratic institutions “in the face of dark and desperate attempts that sought to take control of the popular will.” | |
| It says the Turkish people value democracy and “will not let a group of putschists take it away in a desperate attempt to restore military rule.” | |
| Turkey has been one of the main backers of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad, and is hosting some 2.7 million Syrian refugees. | |
| In the early hours of the attempted coup, celebratory gunfire broke out across Damascus. The government and its supporters view the rebels as terrorists and consider Turkey to be one of their chief sponsors. | |
| Hamas | |
| The Islamic militant group Hamas has congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for quashing a “vicious” plot to overthrow him. | |
| The Turkish leader has been a staunch supporter of Hamas and a fierce critic of Israel. Hamas says it remembers Turkey’s “wise leadership in supporting the Palestinian people and their cause” and working to lift the blockade on Gaza, the coastal territory ruled by the group. | |
| Hamas supporters took to the streets in several places across the Gaza Strip to celebrate the failure of the coup, raising Turkish flags and posters bearing Erdogan’s image. | |
| Turkey recently restored ties with Israel after a six-year lull following a deadly Israeli naval raid to stop an activist flotilla aiming to breach the Gaza blockade. | |
| Qatar | |
| The Gulf nation of Qatar, which has close ties to Erdogan’s government, was quick to condemn the military coup attempt. | |
| It called the attempted coup a “violation of the constitutional legitimacy” in Turkey and said it supports all legal measures the government takes to maintain security and stability. | |
| The official Qatar News Agency said the ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has spoken with Erdogan by phone to express Qatar’s support. | |
| Qatar and Turkey have grown increasingly close in recent years, and share similar stances on their support for Syrian rebel groups and the Muslim Brotherhood. The two countries agreed last year to establish a Turkish military base in Qatar. | |
| Iran | |
| Iran said the attempted military coup in Turkey was “doomed to fail.” | |
| Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as praising the “brave defense by the people of Turkey of their democracy and elected government.” | |
| He said the events in neighboring Turkey prove “that coup d’etat has no place and is doomed to fail in our region.” | |
| Pakistan | |
| An aide to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attempted coup in a statement and said Pakistan “hopes that peace and normalcy will be restored in Turkey.” | |
| Tariq Fatimi also said he had contacted Turkey’s foreign minister to express solidarity with Turkey’s government and democratic institutions. | |
| Pakistan’s main political parties have also praised the people of Turkey for foiling the coup. | |
| Sharif was himself overthrown in a 1999 coup led by Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan until 2008. | |
| Afghanistan | |
| Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed support for Turkey’s elected government, saying in a statement that “democratic elections are the most effective means for peaceful transfer of power.” | |
| “Militaristic options will only undermine democratic institutions, stability and development in the country,” the statement from Ghani’s office said. | |
| Azerbaijan | |
| The president of Turkey’s neighbor Azerbaijan condemned the attempted coup. | |
| President Ilham Aliev was concerned about developments in Turkey and “welcomed measures taken to prevent the attempt at a coup and to stabilize the situation,” spokesman Ali Hasanov said. | |
| Azerbaijan is a Turkic nation and its late president Geidar Aliev once described their relations as “one nation, two states” -- a phrase later echoed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. | |
| 11.56am BST | 11.56am BST |
| 11:56 | 11:56 |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| In Greece, our correspondent Helena Smith is being told that the eight Turkish military personnel who sought asylum in the northern Greek town of Alexandoupolis have removed all insignia from their uniforms, making it impossible to know their ranks. She reports: | In Greece, our correspondent Helena Smith is being told that the eight Turkish military personnel who sought asylum in the northern Greek town of Alexandoupolis have removed all insignia from their uniforms, making it impossible to know their ranks. She reports: |
| “We are in the process of sending interpreters in order to be debriefed,” one insider said. “We are also in touch with the Turkish embassy. It is vital that we know what is going on.” | “We are in the process of sending interpreters in order to be debriefed,” one insider said. “We are also in touch with the Turkish embassy. It is vital that we know what is going on.” |
| Another said it was highly unlikely that the eight men would be granted asylum. | Another said it was highly unlikely that the eight men would be granted asylum. |
| Turkey and Greece, though Nato partners, are long-time adversaries, with Athens closely watching events in Ankara. | Turkey and Greece, though Nato partners, are long-time adversaries, with Athens closely watching events in Ankara. |
| As such, a defence expert said, this was the first time a Turkish military asset had landed in Greece with a view to seeking asylum in the country. | As such, a defence expert said, this was the first time a Turkish military asset had landed in Greece with a view to seeking asylum in the country. |
| The land borders between the neighbours have been reinforced but customs officials are clarifying that while the crossing between Greece and Turkey remains open (even if cross-border traffic has been reduced to a trickle), that between Turkey and Greece remains firmly closed. | The land borders between the neighbours have been reinforced but customs officials are clarifying that while the crossing between Greece and Turkey remains open (even if cross-border traffic has been reduced to a trickle), that between Turkey and Greece remains firmly closed. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.05pm BST | at 12.05pm BST |
| 11.53am BST | 11.53am BST |
| 11:53 | 11:53 |
| The Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, has sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones imploring Turks to “stand up” for democracy and peace. | The Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, has sent a mass text message to Turkish mobile phones imploring Turks to “stand up” for democracy and peace. |
| The message, which came from “RT ERDOGAN” and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a “narrow cadre”. | The message, which came from “RT ERDOGAN” and was signed with his full name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also called on people to take to the streets against a “narrow cadre”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.06pm BST | at 12.06pm BST |
| 11.51am BST | 11.51am BST |
| 11:51 | 11:51 |
| Around 50,000 British tourists in Turkey - travel agents | |
| The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) says there are currently 50,000 people on holiday with its members. | |
| A statement from the organisation said: | A statement from the organisation said: |
| Following reports of an attempted military coup in Turkey, the situation remains fluid. Abta recommends that members of the public read and follow the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and any advice or instructions issued by their travel provider or airline. | Following reports of an attempted military coup in Turkey, the situation remains fluid. Abta recommends that members of the public read and follow the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice and any advice or instructions issued by their travel provider or airline. |
| There has been no change to FCO advice regarding travel to Turkey and holiday programmes to the resort areas continue to operate. | There has been no change to FCO advice regarding travel to Turkey and holiday programmes to the resort areas continue to operate. |
| The vast majority of British travellers to Turkey will fly directly to the beach resorts on Turkey’s south coast which are hundred of miles away from Istanbul and the capital, Ankara. | |
| Abta estimates there are currently 50,000 people on holiday with its members in Turkey. There is no indication that guests in the coastal resorts are affected. | Abta estimates there are currently 50,000 people on holiday with its members in Turkey. There is no indication that guests in the coastal resorts are affected. |
| Updated | |
| at 12.10pm BST | |
| 11.28am BST | 11.28am BST |
| 11:28 | 11:28 |
| Anti-government group takes over frigate, according to Greek military | |
| Reuters is reporting that an anti-government group has taken over a frigate and taken the head of the Turkish fleet hostage at Turkey’s Golcuk naval base. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.11pm BST | |
| 11.25am BST | 11.25am BST |
| 11:25 | 11:25 |
| The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, has demanded the return of eight military personnel who have landed in Greece seeking political asylum after the failed coup. | The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, has demanded the return of eight military personnel who have landed in Greece seeking political asylum after the failed coup. |
| Helikopterle Yunanistan'a kaçan 8 hain askerin derhal teslim edilmesini istedik | Helikopterle Yunanistan'a kaçan 8 hain askerin derhal teslim edilmesini istedik |
| 11.23am BST | 11.23am BST |
| 11:23 | 11:23 |
| British Airways cancels all flights to and from Turkey | British Airways cancels all flights to and from Turkey |
| British Airways has put out this statement: | British Airways has put out this statement: |
| In the light of events in Turkey we have cancelled all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday 16 July 2016, and BA675 departing from Istanbul on Sunday 17 July. | In the light of events in Turkey we have cancelled all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday 16 July 2016, and BA675 departing from Istanbul on Sunday 17 July. |
| We are keeping flights to Turkey under review. | We are keeping flights to Turkey under review. |
| The safety and security of our customers and crew are always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so. | The safety and security of our customers and crew are always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so. |
| 11.21am BST | 11.21am BST |
| 11:21 | 11:21 |
| Turkish maritime authorities have shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers “for security and safety” reasons, Reuters reports. | Turkish maritime authorities have shut Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait to transiting tankers “for security and safety” reasons, Reuters reports. |
| The shipping agent GAC said some cargo carriers, such as bulkers, were still being allowed to travel through the Bosphorus which divides Istanbul into European and Asian sides. | |
| The Bosphorus is one of world’s most important choke-points for the maritime transit of oil, with more than 3% of global supply – mainly from Russia and the Caspian Sea – passing through the 17-mile waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. It also ships vast amounts of grains from Russia and Kazakhstan to world markets. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.13pm BST | |
| 11.09am BST | 11.09am BST |
| 11:09 | 11:09 |
| Turkish military personnel land in Greece seeking asylum | |
| Greece has arrested eight men from a Turkish military helicopter which landed in the northern city of Alexandroupolis at midday on Saturday, the country’s police ministry said. | |
| The men have requested political asylum, it added. | The men have requested political asylum, it added. |
| Greek state television ERT said the men may have been involved in Turkey’s military uprising on Friday. | Greek state television ERT said the men may have been involved in Turkey’s military uprising on Friday. |
| Updated | |
| at 12.14pm BST | |
| 11.08am BST | 11.08am BST |
| 11:08 | 11:08 |
| A Turkish official has circulated a picture of what is said to be the PM's trashed office in parliament pic.twitter.com/AO6QM3vWwu | A Turkish official has circulated a picture of what is said to be the PM's trashed office in parliament pic.twitter.com/AO6QM3vWwu |
| 11.04am BST | 11.04am BST |
| 11:04 | 11:04 |
| Georgia has shut its border with Turkey after the coup attempt, Associated Press reports. | |
| The prime minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, said Georgia’s security council on Saturday discussed “threats that might arise” from the situation and that land and air borders had been closed. | |
| The former Soviet republic shares a 150-mile (250km) border with Turkey. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.15pm BST | |
| 10.52am BST | 10.52am BST |
| 10:52 | 10:52 |
| The British Labour MP and shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, said: | |
| We welcome the fact that democratic rule is prevailing in Turkey, and applaud the Turkish people – including many opposed to the current government – who bravely united to stand up for democracy. | |
| We mourn all those who have been killed and injured in the last 24 hours, and we urge everyone in Turkey, on all sides, to end the bloodshed and ensure there is no recrimination. | We mourn all those who have been killed and injured in the last 24 hours, and we urge everyone in Turkey, on all sides, to end the bloodshed and ensure there is no recrimination. |
| We urge the Turkish government now to recognise the need to unify the country and show greater respect for human rights, free speech and justice. These events cannot be used as justification for yet further repression and division. | We urge the Turkish government now to recognise the need to unify the country and show greater respect for human rights, free speech and justice. These events cannot be used as justification for yet further repression and division. |
| Updated | |
| at 12.16pm BST | |
| 10.49am BST | 10.49am BST |
| 10:49 | 10:49 |
| Federica Mogherini, the vice-president of the European commission, convened an urgent meeting of EU member states’ foreign ministers and representatives, who are currently at a summit in Mongolia, to assess the situation in Turkey. | |
| According to a statement, they expressed support for the democratic institutions of Turkey and condemned the use of violence against them. | |
| It said: “They agreed that any escalation of violence involving civilians has to be avoided. | It said: “They agreed that any escalation of violence involving civilians has to be avoided. |
| “The ministers will meet again in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council, and will discuss again the situation in Turkey at that occasion.” | “The ministers will meet again in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council, and will discuss again the situation in Turkey at that occasion.” |
| Mogherini spoke to the Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and has been in contact with other foreign ministers and the Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.24pm BST |