UPDATE - Threats against Erdogan not new, says Turkish deputy PM

ADDS DETAILS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Yildiz Nevin Gundogmus

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish deputy prime minister on Saturday commented on reports of "assassination threats" against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Bosnia on Sunday.

Bekir Bozdag tweeted: "We are aware that there are circles who are discomforted by such a great leader, a man with a cause, and that they want to get rid of our president. These warnings of assassination threats are not new, always have been there.

"Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not a man who would be afraid of death threats, turn away from his path and his cause."

According to intelligence sources who spoke on the condition anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, there were reports that a group of Turkish citizens were planning an assassination attempt on Erdogan.

Turkish nationals residing in Macedonia's capital Skopje contacted Turkish intelligence units and said: "There are unconfirmed reports of a possible assassination attempt against President Erdogan during his visit to the Balkan countries."

Also, the Western intelligence agencies have contacted Turkish intelligence units to warn about a similar threat against Erdogan during an upcoming visit to the Balkans.

Details regarding the attempt such as the date, location, method of execution are yet unclear, as intelligence units began an in-depth investigation into the threat.

During Sunday's visit, Erdogan will hold bilateral and inter-delegation talks with Bakir Izetbegovic, the Bosniak member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during his visit, according to a statement by the presidential press office.