Turkey's State of Emergency Should Be Extended - Security Body

The National Security Council (MGK) of Turkey has recommended an extension of the state of emergency announced in the country in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in July, state-run Anadolu Agency says.

In a nearly six-hour meeting, the council has agreed the measures is needed "in order to ensure the continuity of the effective implementation of the measures aiming to protect our democracy, the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of our citizens," according to a statement.

The state of emergency was initially declared on July 20 for a three-month period to make sure a proper response is issued to the coup attempt. However, an extension was mentioned as early as then and is possible under the law.

Turkey's Constitution, however, does not allow for a state of emergency to be in force for more than six months.

One of the measures taken over the past months of emergency rule, along with the detentions and dismissals of thousands of people as part of a probe into the coup attempt, was the suspension of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Another recommendation has been made with regard to Ankara's long-standing demand that a "terror-free zone" and a "no-fly zone" should be set up in northern Syria, according to Hürriyet Daily News.

The MGK also believes "an international definition of terrorism must be made and the important of cooperation must be underlined" to prevent any contradictory interpretations, in the light of what it calls EU countries' "insensitive" attitude regarding meetings and exhibitions by Kurdish groups.

Ankara accuses the EU of siding with members of Kurdish groups in Syria and Turkey that it considers affiliated to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The latter is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the US.