I Want Malaysians In Turkey To Remain Calm And Stay Safe - PM Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked Malaysians who are now stranded in Turkey, following an attempted military coup to remain calm and stay safe. He also urged Malaysians in Turkey to be in contact with the Malaysian Embassy in Ankara for any further assistance. "Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation in Turkey closely. Our Malaysian Embassy in Ankara can be of assistance if you require help or have enquiries. "They can be reached at +(90)3124463547 or +(90)3124463548," he posted on his Facebook and Twitter account Saturday. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 27 Malaysians were stranded at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and more than 100 at Esenboğa International Airport in Ankara, Turkey. According to reports, a military statement stated that the armed forces had fully seized power in the country Friday but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Saturday the coup attempt had failed, urging people to protect democracy. Erdogan blamed the ongoing coup attempt on the movement led by Turkey's Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen who is now residing in Pennsylvania, United States, according to international media reports. -- BERNAMA