Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes unity plea after Istanbul bombings

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan prayed with thousands of mourners today at the funeral of victims of Sunday’s bomb attack in Istanbul, calling for unity in the face of terror and brushing aside concerns about the threat of imminent closure of his party for alleged Islamist activities. “Today is a day for unity and togetherness... the more support we can give each other and the more we can give terrorism the cold shoulder, the more successful we will be as a nation,” said a sombre Mr Erdogan after carrying a flag-draped coffin and embracing mourners at a mass funeral at a mosque in the Gungoren district of Istanbul for ten of the 17 victims killed there on Sunday night. Turkey was shocked by the ferocity of the double bombing, which came at a time of great political turmoil. Friday saw the release of a startling... [read full story]