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U.S president denies involvement in failed coup attempt in Turkey

Xinhua, July 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday said the U.S. had no knowledge or involvement in the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

"Any reports that we had any previous knowledge of a coup attempt, that there was any U.S. involvement in it, that we were anything other than entirely supportive of Turkish democracy are completely false, unequivocally false," Obama said in a joint press conference here with visiting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Obama said rumors like that puts Americans at risk in Turkey and threatens a critical alliance and partnership between the United States and Turkey.

The Turkish government has accused followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the coup attempt, and has requested the U.S. for his extradition.

Obama said he had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey should present evidence about Gulen's involvement and the U.S. would process that according to law.

"It is not a decision that I make, but rather a decision that our Justice Department and investigators and courts make alongside my administration in a very well-structured and well-established process," Obama said.

The U.S. president also expressed the hope that as the dust settles in Turkey, there is not an over-reaction that would curtail civil liberties or weaken the ability of legitimate opposition.

"One of the challenges of a democratic government is making sure that even in the midst of emergencies and passions, we make sure that rule of law and the basic precepts of justice and liberty prevail," Obama said.

Turkey, a NATO ally for the U.S., is a major member of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group.

In wake of the coup attempt, Turkey temporarily closed the airspace of the Incirlike Air Base, from which the U.S.-led coalition launches airstrikes against IS militants.

The airspace was reopened Sunday to resume the air operations against IS.

Obama said as the air base is up and running again, the U.S. will continue to work with Turkey to keep the momentum of weakening IS in Syria. Enditem