Police, democracy-loving Army, and the people saved democracy, will cleanse the army now: Erdogan

ISTANBUL (Web Desk) - Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a public statement on the attempted coup after his plane landed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and appreciated the role of Police, masses and democracy loving Army for saving democracy.

The Turkish president blamed the bloody events on forces loyal to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, saying they would pay for it.

Having thanked the public and politicians for their support, the president said that Turkey would not be intimidated by illegal attempts to seize power.

He said those involved in the military coup will get necessary response, regardless of what institution they are from. he assured masses of his support.

Related: Turkey coup: 90 killed, 1,154 injured amid revolt against President Erdogan

Reassuring the audience that "the minority group" behind the attempted coup would pay for what they had done, Erdogan said the people of his country would stand up straight and strong.

Saying that the law is above all in Turkey, the president said that people going into the streets to support it was "the best answer" to those who tried to forcefully seize power.

Erdogan called the attempted coup "a gift from God," as it would help cleanse the military of "members of the gang," he was reported as saying.

He went on to say that a minority group conspired against democracy. The fighter planes were meant to protect the masses against foreign invaders and not for their use against them.

Erdogan maintained that nothing definite could be said regarding the ones who lost their lives during the revolt. He questioned the troops whether they would take up arms against their own brothers and sisters.