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Abdullah Ocalan: Kurdish leader to announce Turkey peace plan Kurd leader Ocalan calls for congress to end Turkey struggle
(about 3 hours later)
The jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan is set to announce details of a keenly anticipated peace plan with Turkey. The jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan has renewed a call for his fighters to end their armed struggle in Turkey.
The statement is expected to be read out by pro-Kurdish politicians who visited him on Thursday. In a message read out at a huge rally marking the Kurdish new year, Ocalan called for a congress to decide on abandoning the insurgency.
Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been waging a 30-year armed struggle for Kurdish independence. His Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been waging a 30-year armed struggle for Kurdish independence.
A ceasefire has been in place since 2013, and there are hopes for a permanent end to the conflict. He called a ceasefire in 2013 and there are growing hopes of a long-term deal.
More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died in fighting for a Kurdish homeland in Turkey's south-east.More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died in fighting for a Kurdish homeland in Turkey's south-east.
Ocalan has been in prison since 1999 serving a life sentence for treason. Ocalan has been in prison since 1999, serving a life sentence for treason.
'Practical details' His message was delivered instead by Sirri Sureyya Onder, a pro-Kurdish politician who visited Ocalan in jail on Thursday.
The content of Ocalan's message has not been released, but Sirri Sureyya Onder, from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), one of those who visited the rebel leader, gave some clues. Hundreds of thousands attended the celebration in Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-populated city in eastern Turkey, with many carrying images of the imprisoned leader.
"It will be a road map for the nation and the region, with theoretical and practical details on the peace process," he told AFP. A ceasefire announced by Ocalan in 2013 still holds despite ongoing mistrust between the two sides.
The statement is due to be read out in the city of Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-populated city in eastern Turkey, amid huge Newroz, or new year, celebrations. Stumbling blocks remain. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan angered some Kurds by saying the country "never had a Kurdish problem".
Ocalan made another significant announcement last month, calling for supporters to attend a conference "aimed at ending the armed struggle".
He also declared a ceasefire in 2013 that holds despite ongoing mistrust between the two sides.
Stumbling blocks remain. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, angered some Kurds by saying the country "never had a Kurdish problem".
Turkey is facing parliamentary elections later this year, with analysts suggesting Mr Erdogan's comments were an attempt to shore-up nationalist support.Turkey is facing parliamentary elections later this year, with analysts suggesting Mr Erdogan's comments were an attempt to shore-up nationalist support.