UN chief says military interference in Turkey unacceptable

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon while condemning the Turkey coup, which has so far killed at least 42 people and injured hundreds, said military interference in the affairs of any state is unacceptable.

"#UNSG Ban Ki-moon says military interference in affairs of any state is unacceptable," tweeted a spokesperson for the UN Secretary General.

As per a statement released by the spokesperson, the UN Secretary-General is closely following the fast-moving developments in Turkey and is 'concerned'.

Ban Ki-moon has also appealed for peace, non-violence and restraint at this moment of uncertainty in the country while adding that preservation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and assembly, remain of vital importance.

"It will be crucial to quickly and peacefully affirm civilian rule and constitutional order in accordance with principles of democracy," the statement added.

A military coup has been attempted in Turkey on Friday and prompting supporters of the country's elected president to take to the streets.

In a statement released through Turkish television channels on Friday night, people claiming to speak for the military said the army was in charge of the country, accusing the government of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of eroding Turkey's secular traditions, reports the Guardian.

But as soldiers and tanks moved into key positions around Istanbul and Ankara, people poured into the streets. A night of confrontations, loud blasts and gunfire ensued across the capital.

Early on Saturday morning President Erdogan's plane landed in Istanbul, with the president clearly determined to assert that the coup had been repelled and he remained in charge.

In a live TV address after his arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport, where he was welcomed by crowds, Erdogan said the uprising was an act of "treason" and that those responsible would pay a "heavy price".

Apparently the coup was conducted by a section of the military as some top commanders took to television to condemn the action and order troops back to their barracks.