UPDATE 3 - Turkish president, first lady test positive for omicron variant of coronavirus

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, MESSAGES

By Faruk Zorlu, Seda Sevencan and Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and first lady Emine Erdogan tested positive for the omicron variant of coronavirus.

"The results of the COVID-19 test that I had with my wife, after having mild symptoms today, were positive. Thankfully, we are going through a mild one," Erdogan said on Twitter, adding that they will be working from home.

"Hopefully, we will overcome this disease as soon as possible together ... We look forward to your prayers," the first lady said in a separate tweet.

Leaders both from within and outside Turkey wished Erdogan and the first lady a speedy recovery. Those who sent messages include Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Separately, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev called Erdogan to wish them a quick recovery. During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on various aspects of the Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood and friendship.