Turkish president calls on PKK to lay down weapons to advance in peace process

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday called on the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) to lay down their weapons. Otherwise, the government is stalled in the settlement process aiming to end a four-decade old Kurdish insurgency in Turkey.

"Peace is not possible under the threat of weapons," Erdogan said at a meeting of local community administers.

Representatives of the Kurdish movement promised earlier to lay down their arms, however, "promises are repeatedly broken," the president said.

"We cannot advance unless we see concrete steps," he stated, adding that they want to see in "reality" the laying down of arms by the terrorist group as part of the settlement process between jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Turkish government.

Ocalan Saturday called on his followers to convene "to end a decade-long armed struggle" with Turkey.

"I find it necessary that the PKK convene to end the four-decade old armed struggle with the Republic of Turkey," Ocalan said.

In 2011, the Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) government held talks with Ocalan who is jailed on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara.

The government and Ocalan recently agreed on a 10-page document including an item demanding the PKK to relinquish their arms.

The PKK has been fighting the Turkish government for increased rights and autonomy. Around 40,000 individuals were killed in the conflict. Endit