NATO’s chief has joined others calling for Turkey’s leadership to respect the rule of law in its reaction to the failed attempt at a military coup.
“I have spoken to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the aftermath of the attempted coup in Turkey,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday in a statement. “I welcomed the strong support shown by the people and all political parties to democracy and to the democratically elected government. The Turkish people have shown great courage.”
RAW VIDEO: More than 100 generals, admirals in Turkey detained for questioning regarding failed coup
As he did early on Saturday, Stoltenberg condemned the attempted coup in Turkey and reiterated his full support for Turkey’s democratic institutions.
“Being part of a unique community of values, it is essential for Turkey, like all other allies, to ensure full respect for democracy and its institutions, the constitutional order, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms,” the NATO chief said. He called Turkey a “valued NATO ally,” and offered his condolences to the families of the innocent people who lost their lives in the takeover attempt.
The European Union’s 28 member also called on Turkish authorities, including police and security forces, to exercise restraint in the wake of the failed coup.
WATCH: US, EU call on Turkey to respect human rights considerations following failed coup
“All must be done to avoid further violence, to protect lives and to restore calm,” the bloc’s foreign ministers said in a statement following a meeting Monday in Brussels.
READ MORE: EU, US warns Turkey it must uphold democracy after failed military coup
“The EU calls for the full observance of Turkey’s constitutional order and stresses the importance of the rule of law prevailing,” the ministers said. “It is crucial to ensure full respect for all democratic institutions of the country including the elected government and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.”
They added that “the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an essential element” of the bloc’s conditions for membership, the ministers added.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested that Turkey might reinstate capital punishment, which was abolished in 2004. Turkey, already a NATO member, also aspires to join the EU.
WATCH: How the attempted Turkey coup unfolded
On Monday, the Turkish prime minister’s office cancelled all public servants’ leave and asked employees currently on vacation to return to their duties. A statement from Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s office said the order would be valid until further notice.
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Meanwhile, Turkey’s state-run news agency says seven prosecutors, charged with investigating a foiled coup, have entered a base in southern Turkey that is key to the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State group.
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A Turkish brigadier general at the base has already been detained for his alleged role in Friday’s uprising.
The Turkish Interior Ministry has fired close to 9,000 personnel across the country, following Friday’s foiled coup. Anadolu Agency says a total of 8,777 employees attached to the ministry were dismissed, including 30 governors, 52 civil service inspectors and 16 legal advisers. Other media reports said police and military police officers and coast guards were also removed from duty.
The so-called purge comes in the wake of a failed coup attempt that has killed 232 people. The government a U.S.-based Muslim cleric, Fethullah Gulen, is behind the failed uprising.
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