Ankara, July 16 (IANS) The Turkish military late on Friday night released a statement claiming to have taken over and martial law has been imposed, the Independent online reported.
A "Peace in the Nation" council has been established, claiming to be a response to the erosion of liberties and rising terrorism.
The army has seized media outlets, including the state-run TRT channel. The channel has broadcast a statement on the orders of the military.
It 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 general security that was damaged."
"All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue."
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a phone interview on broadcaster CNNTürk that a "minority group" in the military has attempted a coup.
Erdogan said the parallel state, referring to the followers of the US-based scholar Fethullah Gülen, has promoted the attempt.
"We will not leave the ground to them," Hurriyet Daily News online quoted him as saying. Vowing to end the "occupation" by the group, he called on nation to unite at squares and airports.
Erdogen said he would also be on the streets.
The move is not as part of the chain of command, he said.
"I am the chief commonder," he said.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said earlier that Turkey is facing an uprising attempt from inside the army, with the state-run Anadolu Agency reporting that Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar is being kept as a hostage with a group.
Erdogan neither confirmed nor denied the information, telling that there was an "obscure atmosphere" of information.
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