PM thanks opposition leader for rejecting military coup

ANKARA

Turkey's prime minister has thanked the leaders of three oppositional parties for their backing to the democracy and standing with the government in the face of a group of soldiers that attempted to stage a coup.

"I thank the leader of the opposition parties. They have protected the democracy. They have stood with our government by showing a clear stance against the coup attempt," Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said early July 16 in televised remarks. All three parties represented at the Parliament issued statements in support to the government by rejecting the plot.

Yıldırım also thanked the people who have taken streets to support the government against plotters, calling them not to return their homes and continue to back the democratically-elected government. "Let's not leave the streets to the plotters," he added.