Turkey urges Trump to extradite Gulen for "new page" in bilateral ties

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim urged Donald Trump to extradite Fetullah Gulen when congratulated Trump on winning the US presidency, China's Xinhua news agency reported citing the Turkish Daily Sabah.

Yildirim noted that "a new page" would be opened in US-Turkish relations if the Gulenist terror group (FETO) leader is extradited to Turkey.

Gulen is considered the mastermind behind the failed July 15 coup attempt.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his hope that Trump's election would benefit American people.

"I hope the choice of American people will lead to good steps for basic rights and freedoms, democracy and future of our region," Erdogan said, adding that he intends to maintain a positive perspective.

In addition, the Foreign Ministry said that election results reflect American peoples' preference and that Turkey will respect whoever is elected president in the US.

"US-Turkey relations are independent from individuals," the statement said, adding that Turkey is determined to maintain relations with the US.

Donald Trump was elected America's 45th president on Wednesday in an unexpected victory which ended eight years of Democratic dominance of the White House. -- BERNAMA