TURKEY: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warns Libya against "cruel steps"

Record ID: 217356

  • Title: TURKEY: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warns Libya against "cruel steps"
  • Date: 23rd February 2011
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (FEBRUARY 22, 2011) (REUTERS) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN WALKING TO PODIUM TO ADDRESS MEMBERS OF HIS AK PARTY AK PARTY MPS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING: "Taking cruel steps against people voicing their democratic demands will only exacerbate the spiral of violence and threaten the country's un
  • Embargoed: 10th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey, Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: International Relations,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9I9TIR5HLSZPN5K6DQITZYBEC
  • Story Text: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says Libyan authorities should not ignore the people's demand for democracy and freedom.
    Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday (February 22) warned Libya against taking "cruel steps" in crushing an uprising which has swept across the country, saying this would only fuel the violence.
    "Taking cruel steps against people voicing their democratic demands will only exacerbate the spiral of violence and threaten the country's unity. At this stage wrong behaviours would lead to hazardous consequences in terms of the country's unity. Our concern is violence might escalate and spread all over Libya," Erdogan told members of his ruling AK Party in the Turkish parliament.
    Turning more broadly to upheaval seen across North Africa and Middle East in recent weeks, Erdogan gave a stark warning.
    "No government that turns to violence against their people, takes no notice of their demands and remains insensitive to their expectations and sees its people as a threat can stay long in power," said Erdogan, regarded as one of the most popular leaders in the Muslim world.
    Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has vowed defiance in the face of mounting revolt, making a fleeting television appearance to scorn protesters and deny he had fled the country.
    Erdogan said he spoke with the Libyan leader twice. Speaking to his own party members, Erdogan advised the Libyan government to avoid fuelling the bloodshed.
    "At this stage, it is certain that no government that exercises ruthless interventions against its own people can survive or provide stability in the country. We want stability, peace and security in the region and we believe that human rights, freedoms and democratic demands should be achieved."
    Turkey has made forging closer diplomatic and economic ties with the Middle East and the Arab world a priority, banking on prosperity eventually bringing stability to the volatile region.
    Turkish companies, mostly construction firms, have projects worth more than 15 billion U.S. dollars (USD) in Libya and trade volume between them was about 2.4 billion USD last year.
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