Parliament extends term of cross-border authorization

Parliament yesterday extended for one year a motion allowing the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the motion, 497-18, with Democratic Society Party (DTP) and Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) deputies voting against it. Afterwards, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Parliament's action. Speaking on behalf of the government, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said they would fight terrorism within the bounds of democracy and the law.