Erdogan: "Turkey will continue fighting until the terrorists lay dpwn their arms"

Speaking to his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the fight against terrorism and national security issues are matters that transcend parties. "Not announcing beforehand the date our troops would return home was a necessity," he said. "People trying to interfere cast a shadow over Turkey's fight against terrorism and don't respect our fallen soldiers." Criticizing main opposition party leader Deniz Baykal, Erdogan said that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) should not be fodder for arguments, and that anyone with something to say should speak to him instead. "The TSK knows how to conduct the cross-border operations, and what is needed," he said. Erdogan added that Turkey will continue to fight terrorism until the terrorists lay down their arms.