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Mali pledges to move against Gulen movement

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Visiting Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita promised to take measures against activities of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen in his country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Keita in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Erdogan said that Mali is one of the countries that Gulen movement is widely active in its schools and trade activities.

"He (Keita) told me that they will not give any opportunity to those who oppose the Turkish government," Erdogan said.

"On both education and trade, we will carry on joint efforts on this issue," the president noted.

Gulen, once an ally to Erdogan, was accused of trying to topple him and being "leader of an armed criminal organization."

Gullen has followers in influential positions within the police and judiciary, which the Turkish president has described as a "parallel state" within the state.

Gulen movement also operates hundreds of Turkish schools worldwide, particularly in the African continent.

Turkish police officers and prosecutors known to be close to Gulen conducted a graft investigation in December 2013, which Erdogan then called as part of a "coup attempt" to overthrow the government. Endit