* Photo: Murat Kula - Anadolu Agency (AA)

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the public following the cabinet meeting that he held via video conference yesterday evening (April 13).

Speaking about the measures to be taken against novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in Turkey, President Erdoğan has announced that Turkey will continue its weekend curfews to stem the spread of the virus, with the next curfew to be imposed this weekend on April 18-19.

"As part of the fight against the epidemic, we decided to continue the curfew on weekends as needed in the coming period," Erdogan has said and noted that measures will be taken to prevent the disorder which occurred in some places after the announcement of the first weekend curfew.

CLICK - Ministry Imposes Last-Minute Curfew for Weekend, People Queue Up in Front of Groceries

Resignation of Minister of Interior

Within this context, President Erdoğan has also referred to the resignation of Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu over the last-minute curfew imposed in 31 provinces of Turkey for the weekend.

Erdogan has reminded the public that he rejected Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's resignation and said "I did not accept his resignation and asked him to continue his duty."

He has also praised "Soylu's success in combating terrorism, post-natural disasters activities in the country, as well as his efforts on ensuring public safety during the coronavirus pandemic."

CLICK - President Erdoğan Rejects Minister of Interior's Resignation

'Some media outlets, columnists have started a war'

Referring to Turkey's "transparency" in both the dimension of the outbreak and the measures taken against it, Erdoğan has said,

"However, using this incident and outbreak measures in general as an excuse, some media outlets have, in a sense, started a war against their own country with their news and columnists, as they always do.

"Instead of contributing to the struggle of our country in this critical period, they are all holding a grudge with fabricated and false news, which is indicative of a disease more dangerous than the virus.

"Our country will hopefully get rid of not only coronavirus, but also these media and politics viruses as well."

'Turkey receives international appreciation'

Noting Turkey determinedly continues its struggle against the pandemic, Erdoğan has indicated that they closely follow the effects of the pandemic in many different areas, healthcare, food and security in particular.

Drawing attention to "the appreciation Turkey has received from the international community" during this process, Erdoğan has stated that "Turkey's healthcare institutions have the capacity to deal with the pandemic in terms of diagnosis, treatment and intensive care units."

"Turkey has made the significant progress in bringing the pandemic under control," President Erdoğan has said and added that "thanks to the measures it has taken, Turkey is one of the leading countries that have brought the pandemic under control in the fastest way possible."

"As a matter of fact, international organizations, the World Health Organization in particular, show Turkey as an example in combating the coronavirus pandemic," Erdoğan has indicated further.

'We take all measures to safeguard employment'

Concluding his remarks, Erdoğan has stated the following:

"My august nation, let me reiterate from here that just as Turkey has the power to ensure the safety of life and property of all its citizens regardless of circumstances, it has also the power to meet their needs related to healthcare, food and hygiene.

"We take all measures to safeguard employment, look after our citizens who have lost their incomes, help our retired citizens, support our tradesmen and craftsmen and to promote production." (EKN/SD)

* Sources: Anadolu Agency (AA), Presidency