This is an entry from: LIVE BLOG: Coup attempt in Turkey
Erdogan back in Istanbul, official tells MEE
16 July 2016 01:57 BST
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has landed back in Istanbul, an advisor to the prime minister told Middle East Eye early on Saturday.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Cemalettin Hasimi told MEE that Erdogan is in Istanbul and that the government has managed to regain control.
“Only a small group of plotters remain and we hope to get everything under control within 24 hours,” he said.
In response to a question about which military units have remained loyal to the government, he said that “the entire military, except for a minor group with links to the Gulenists are loyal and not involved in this attempt”. Middle East Eye has cannot verify his statements at the moment.
Many officials have said a group of followers of Fethullah Gulen - a Turkish preacher living in exile in the US and a major rival of Erdogan - is behind the coup. This is entirely unconfirmed at this point.
Hasimi also said statements of support from various opposition political parties were a positive step.
“This support is definitely a positive thing. It was also a strong sign of backing for democracy.”
The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party - a fierce critic of Erdogan's government - condemned the coup earlier, in addition to a number of other political parties.