Main opposition CHP says it defended Turkish PM in Egypt talks

ISTANBUL

CHP deputies Faruk Loğoğlu (2nd R) and Osman Korutürk (R), meet with al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb during their Egpy visit. AA photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has taken an unfamiliar tone in the Egyptian crisis, saying it defended Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against the Egyptian authorities.

CHP deputy leader Faruk Loğoğlu and deputy Osman Korutürk told reporters yesterday that the Egyptian people were very offended by Erdoğan’s remarks on Egyptian Islamic cleric al-Azhar Sheikh, and they wanted this to be addressed as soon as possible. Erdoğan had said he was devastated when he saw al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb endorsing the military coup in Egypt.

Loğoğlu said Egyptians needed to be placated over Erdoğan’s remarks. “They describe Turkey’s interference in Egypt’s internal politics and the al-Azhar Sheikh issue as insulting.” Loğoğlu said, upon his return from a three-day trip to Cairo.

“There were two things that we did not do in Egypt. Firstly, we did not complain about the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). However the Egyptians did so strongly that we [CHP] had to interfere. ‘One cannot do this. Even if one criticizes our views we expect the same respect from them for our political figures, our prime minister and our institution, just as we have shown’,” Loğoğlu said. Loğoğlu’s comments came around the time Erdoğan spoke against the party’s Egypt visit.