The United States has criticized Å“unhelpful comments” by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who once again said Å“extremists” and Å“terrorists” are stoking violence in his country.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday that Washington would support peaceful demonstrations in Turkey, but it “would encourage any official there to refrain from unhelpful rhetoric and unhelpful comments that will not help calm the actions… happening in Turkey.”
Erdogan made the remarks in Tunisiaâ„¢s capital Tunis on Thursday as he wrapped up his North African tour, upending the demonstratorsâ„¢ expectation who had hoped for a sign of compromise.
A week of unprecedented protests in the Turkish cities began as a campaign against the redevelopment of a park in Istanbul but turned into anti-government demonstrations with angry protesters calling for the resignation of the countryâ„¢s three-term prime minister over what they called the authoritarianism of Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party.
Erdoganâ„¢s latest comments brought more wood to the fire that had been ignited by the policeâ„¢s heavy-handed response to the protests from day one.
The prime minister also said that plans to redevelop the park would go ahead. Reports say a large protest group has called for more demonstrations in response to Erdoganâ„¢s comments.
The Associated Press reported that many protesters had gathered at Istanbul airport to greet him.
MA/HN
This article originally appeared on: Press TV