'Aggression' against Brazil's Lula 'unacceptable,' says Turkish foreign minister

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) – The situation in Brazil after protesters stormed government buildings is "unacceptable," the Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"It is unacceptable. We are very concerned," Mevlut Cavusoglu said, referring to the recent incidents in Brazil, during a joint press conference with South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa.

Türkiye released a strong statement condemning the "aggression" in Brazil, he said.

In Brazil, Cavusoglu said he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to power as president for a third term.

"It was the will of the Brazilian people," he said, adding it should be accepted by all.

Cavusoglu's remarks came after hundreds of supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Congress building, and shouted slogans and demanded intervention by the army. They broke through a police barrier and entered the Congress building.