Spurning closure case, Erdogan pledges AKP will continue its work

Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan yesterday lashed out at a new prosecutor's case seeking the closure of his party. "Is it only the AKP's duty to think of this nation's future, international stature, and democratic and economic gains?" he asked at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Women's Branch Congress in Sanliurfa. "Our statements and acts are clear. Our path and policy are quite clear. Just as we have done so far, we will continue to work to achieve the ideals of the republic, which is a democratic, secular, social state ruled by the law." Erdogan reiterated that his party is opposed to extremism, violence and fanaticism, and added that they have fought and will continue to fight such extremism everywhere. "Someone who hails anti-democratic tendencies may think that Turkey deserves a third-class democracy," he added. Erdogan dismissed efforts to link the AKP to fundamentalism, fanaticism, terrorism or violence as "not serious."