Turkey calls US 'threatening language unacceptable’

ANKARA

Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) has blasted the United States administration for its "threatening language" over the arrest of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

The MGK convened July 30 for the first time after Turkey's shift to executive presidential system. After the meeting, which took more than five hours, the council reiterated in a statement that Ankara would not step back in the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the U.S.

"It was noted in the meeting that the threatening language used by the U.S. against our country is disrespectful and unacceptable," the MGK statement said.

The council also condemned the recent U.S. stance on defense industry projects on which "Turkey fulfills every kind of responsibilities," saying this stance would irreparably harm the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The U.S. Congress recently passed legislation threatening to halt U.S. sales of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite signed contracts between the countries, over issues such as Turkish arrests of U.S. nationals.

Pastor Brunson was given house arrest on July 25 after staying behind bars for nearly two years on terrorism charges,

Turkey's MGK also said the country’s fight against terrorist groups would continue with the same determination in the new era.

Stressing that the deal with the U.S. over Manbij would help resolve the Syria issue, the council said that measures to accelerate locals returning home were also reviewed. Concrete steps will start to be taken to secure places in Syria where terror groups are now active, it added.