Erdogan: Some parties trying to politically exploit the catastrophe

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Feb 2023 16:22

The Turkish President says the state of emergency will also prevent parties from abusing the process and plundering businesses.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan checks on citizens in Gazientap following the devastating earthquake.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed attempts to exploit the disaster of the earthquake that struck the country for political purposes, noting that the three months state of emergency declared earlier would stop them.

“There are those who want to turn the process into a political abuse," Turkey's leader said.

"Today, we will declare the three-month-long state of emergency rule in Parliament. I have taken the first step and it was issued in the Official Gazette. With the voting in Parliament, the state of emergency will take effect," he stated.

Erdogan stressed that the state of emergency "will give the state the opportunity to intervene against those abusing the process, undertaking corruption, and money brokers," adding that "unfortunately, in some supermarkets and shopping malls, there are attempts of plunder. There will be the opportunity to intervene against these with the state of emergency,”

During a visit to Gaziantep province on Thursday, Erdogan said the current plan of the government "aim is to rebuild the (demolished) buildings in a year.”

الرئيس أردوغان يتفقد مناطق متضررة من الزلزال في "غازي عنتاب"https://t.co/ADXM1WsyZh pic.twitter.com/6APy1aQ813
— الرئاسة التركية (@tcbestepe_ar) February 9, 2023

He also confirmed that the Turkish state had been working on the field "with all its institutions since the moment of the earthquake."

Turkey's President on Wednesday admitted "shortcomings" after criticism of his government's response to the massive earthquake, which is one of the deadliest this century.

"Of course, there are shortcomings. The conditions are clear to see. It's not possible to be ready for a disaster like this," the Turkish President said.

On Monday, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, killing thousands, mainly in Turkey and Syria, and leveling houses and other facilities, including public infrastructure.