Urgent: Turkish president says coup attempt "unsuccessful," urges people to protect "democracy"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is safe and a coup attempt by a small group of soldiers was "unsuccessful," said a statement posted early Saturday on the website of the president's office.

In his appearance on CNNTurk via a reporter's mobile phone, Erdogan urged people to take to the streets to protect "democracy."

"This is an act encouraged by the parallel structure." he said. "I believe that this act will have the necessary punishment that will be given by our nation." Endit