Davutoglu calls for immediate release of Egyptian leaders

Speaking a press conference at the Prime Ministry office in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey was deeply sorry over recent incidents in Egypt, adding that it's extremely worrying for the gains of the Egyptian revolution and the democratic process after democratically elected President Morsi was ousted by the army. Underlining Turkey's support to democratic demands of the Middle Eastern nations, Davutoglu said Turkey had strongly supported the January 25 revolution of its Egyptian friends and called for support to protect the democratic process. "Whatever the reason is, it is unacceptable that a democratically elected government was overthrown by illegitimate means, even more, with a military coup. A national consensus politics is possible only with the participation and support of democratic institutions, actors, opposition and civil society," Davutoglu said, adding, "Leaders who come to power with open and transparent elections reflecting the will of the people can only be removed by elections, that is, the will of the nation." Stating that all democratic mechanisms should be operated, Davutoglu said, "After yesterday's intervention, the arbitrary arrests or house arrests of politicians, including President Mohamed Morsi and Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, are unacceptable. Freeing the detained politicians has special importance for national reconciliation."