Turkish Cyprus 'relieved' at coup failure

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mustafa Akinci said on Tuesday that the failure of the July 15 coup in Turkey had relieved the TRNC public.

In a statement to the state-run Bayrak broadcaster Tuesday, Akinci said that the TRNC people had also taken a stand against Friday's coup attempt.

"The path of development goes through democracy," he added.

Akinci said that Turkey plays an important role for the Turkish Cypriots and welcomed the fact that "no community in Turkey … applauded the coup as they have done in the past".

Turkey's government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming parallel state.

At least 240 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against the coup.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Emin Avundukluoglu contributed to this report from Ankara.