ANKARA (REUTERS) - Turkey lashed out at Germany on Wednesday (Aug 17), saying that German government allegations that Turkey had become a central hub for Islamist groups reflected a"twisted mentality" that has been trying to target President Tayyip Erdogan.

German broadcaster ARD this week published part of a confidential German government report, which it said marked the first official assessment linking Erdogan and Turkey's government to support for Islamist and terrorist groups.

The report said Turkey had become "the central hub for Islamist groups in the Middle East", ARD reported.

In a statement, Turkey's foreign ministry said: "The allegations are a new manifestation of the twisted mentality, which for some time has been trying to wear down our country, by targeting our president and government."