Obama convenes national security meeting amid Turkey unrest

US President Barack Obama convened a situation room meeting with his top national security advisors to discuss the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey, the White House said on Saturday.

"The President will convene a meeting with his national security and broader foreign policy team to update him on the situation in Turkey," the White House said in a brief update of Obama's daily schedule.

The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has survived the coup but the situation remains tense as the violence has killed over 250 people.

During the coup, Obama offered support for Turkey's "democratically elected government" and urged all sides to "avoid any violence or bloodshed."

 

But there were rising concerns of a government crackdown on Erdogan's opponents.

Even before the violent coup attempt, Obama had expressed concern over Erdogan's handling of the media and the rule of law.