Turkish party leaders voice unity on fighting terrorism

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister and top opposition leaders met at his residence at the Cankaya Palace Wednesday to express their common stance against terrorism in the wake of Saturday’s deadly attacks.

"At our meeting we again saw that fighting terrorism is an issue transcending politics," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said after his talks with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), and Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Yildirim, leader of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, said that though the three political parties can differ on other issues, "On the issue of fighting terrorism, the determination of the CHP, MHP, and AK Party is still continuing."

Yildirim said that the party leaders also discussed recent developments in Aleppo, where the Syrian regime and allied groups have reportedly been trying to derail the cease-fire meant to allow civilians’ evacuation from the eastern part of the city.

Kilicdaroglu said Yildirim briefed them on recent terror attacks both in Turkey and the larger region.

"As political parties, we agreed to take a common stance against terrorism, and on fighting terrorism together," he added.

Bahceli said that the meeting was a response to the people’s expectations for fighting terrorism.

"The political parties demand that the fight against terrorism be maintained with a certain and merciless determination," stressed Bahceli.

The meeting of the leaders came after deadly PKK blasts in Istanbul Saturday, when a car bomb and a suicide bomber launched attacks after a football match, leaving 44 martyred and dozens of others wounded.