CORRECTS - Turkey NATO group head hits out at FETO

CORRECTS TO CLARIFY REMARKS ARE FROM HEAD OF TURKISH DELEGATION TO NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

ANKARA (AA) – The Fetullah Terrorist Organization [FETO] attacked the "very core values" of Turkish democracy and freedom, the head of the Turkish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly said on Wednesday.

In a letter, Osman Askin Bak, a Justice and Development (AK) Party deputy from Rize, said parliamentarians and people of the alliance must be "vigilant" to protect these values adding that it was "crucial" to be in solidarity.

"A faction led by FETO attempted to stage a coup against our government, our nation and our democracy. It was the Turkish nation who thwarted this attempt," the letter added.

Bak also said Turkish people showed "historic" solidarity, adding: "They stood bravely in front of the tanks, military helicopters and F-16 fighter jets and reclaimed their democratic rights and freedoms."

During the coup attempt, FETO attacked the Turkish parliament, offices of the presidency and prime ministry, headquarters of the national intelligence service and police special operations.

"Members of parliament from three major parties headed by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey gathered in the plenary hall, risking their lives under heavy air attacks in order to defend democracy, national will, the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of Turkish people," Bak's letter read.

The delegation head added that all political parties and members of parliament stood "firmly" by democracy, democratic institutions and the Constitution.

Turkey's government has said the deadly coup attempt, which martyred at least 246 people and injured more than 2,100 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

* Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.