Turkey’s democracy, people ‘matters’ to US: State Dept.

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) – The State Department reiterated Thursday that Turkey is a friend and ally and its democracy and the will of Turkish people "matters" to the U.S.

"It matters so much to us that we are going to stay in close touch with them going forward," State Department spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing.

Kirby once again stressed that everyone should be mindful that Turkey has gone through a "significant emergency and a threat to their own democracy."

At least 246, including civilians, were martyred and more than 1,530 others were left injured after a deadly coup attempt last Friday.

Turkey says the attempted overthrow was orchestrated by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of infiltrating Turkey’s vital state institutions with the aim of creating a "parallel state".

Turkey provided a formal extradition request for Gulen earlier this week. The U.S. is currently reviewing the documents, according to the State Department.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden assured Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in a telephone call Thursday that the extradition request for the FETO leader would be examined closely and as soon as possible.