ANKARA • World leaders yesterday urged "respect for democratic institutions" after a failed coup attempt in Turkey that left over 160 people dead, more than 1,400 injured and almost 3,000 military personnel arrested.
The United States called on all parties in Turkey to support President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government after the upheaval in the Nato member country that bridges Europe and the Middle East.
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone and gave their support to Mr Erdogan. Detailing a call between Mr Obama and Mr Kerry, the White House said both agreed "all parties in Turkey should support the democratically elected government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed".
Russia, Nato and the EU also appealed for stability.
UN chief Ban Ki Moon lashed out against the attempted coup, as he called for civilian rule to be maintained. "Military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable," Mr Ban said in a statement.
EU chiefs Donald Tusk and Jean- Claude Juncker backed Mr Erdogan's government and urged a "swift return" to normal.
"Turkey is a key partner for the European Union. The EU fully supports the democratically elected government, the institutions of the country and the rule of law," they said in a statement with EU foreign policy head Federica Mogherini.
China called on Turkey to restore order and stability as soon as possible, state television cited the Foreign Ministry as saying.
Mr Jens Stoltenberg, head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, called for "calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey's democratic institutions and its Constitution", adding that the country was "a valued Nato ally".
The French Foreign Ministry called for "the avoidance of violence and respect for democratic order", in an appeal echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Turkey's regional allies also condemned the coup attempt.
Key regional powers Iran and Israel, which have both had strained relationships with Mr Erdogan's government, condemned the putsch. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed the Turkish people's "defence of democracy and their elected government" which he said "proves that coups have no place in our region and are doomed to fail".
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif praised the Turks for backing their elected government and resisting a military takeover.
Indonesia, too, expressed deep concerns, with its Foreign Affairs Ministry saying in a statement: "Indonesia stresses the importance of respecting the Constitution and the principles of democracy."
REUTERS, XINHUA AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
