'Turkey now stronger' post-coup bid, PM says

ANKARA

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said Turkey is now stronger than before the July 15 coup bid.

Speaking during ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group in Ankara, Yildirim said: "Now, we are stronger than before July 15."

In a reference to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, which is accused of being behind the foiled coup, he said no terror threat or treason network could disrupt Turkey's peace and unity,

He vowed to bring Pennsylvania-based preacher Fetullah Gulen to justice in Turkey and make him pay the price for the coup attempt.

"That terrorist leader, who bombed Turkey and the Turkish parliament, and aimed Turkey's gun on Turkish people, will certainly be punished," Yildirim said.

He also recalled Sunday's cross-party Democracy and Martyrs' Rally in Istanbul, which saw the participation of millions of people. "From now on, we will keep this reconciliation atmosphere in the country."

The Yenikapi event was the first time when ruling and opposition party leaders shared the same platform. It was the highlight of weeks of democracy rallies held in cities across the country since the defeated coup, which led to 240 martyrs and wounded nearly 2,200 people.

Turkey’s government has said the coup was organized by the followers of Fetullah Gulen, leader of FETO, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999. Ankara has formally asked Washington for his extradition.

(Reporting by Huseyin Gazi Kayki and Huseyin Karakus; Writing by Burcu Arık)