World

Turkey foreign minister says sees positive change in US on extraditing cleric

Turkey says Fethullah Gulen used his network of followers in military to attempt to overthrow govt on July 15-16

Reuters July 28, 2016

people gather at kizilay square in ankara on july 18 2016 to protest against parallel state gulenist terrorist organisation 039 s failed military coup attempt photo afp

People gather at Kizilay Square in Ankara on July 18, 2016 to protest against Parallel State/Gulenist Terrorist Organisation's failed military coup attempt. PHOTO: AFP

ANKARA: Turkey is seeing a positive change in the attitude of the United States towards the extradition of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for orchestrating a failed coup attempt this month, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavasoglu said on Thursday.

Speaking to broadcaster CNN Turk, Cavasoglu also said more than 300 personnel in the foreign ministry have been linked to the cleric.

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Turkey says Gulen used his network of followers in the military to attempt to overthrow the government on July 15-16.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States for years, denies the charge. Turkey wants Washington to extradite Gulen, but the United States has said it would require clear evidence to do so.