Erdogan: Removing state of emergency still impossible

istanbul - Former President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, feels nothing to lift the state of emergency in his country. 'We can not lift the state of emergency until everything reaches a state of peace and prosperity,' Erdogan said Thursday at a meeting in Istanbul.

The president referred to the unrest in the southeast and east of the country. Security forces have been fighting for the prohibition of Kurdish PKK movement for decades. 'At the moment, the mountains in the southeast and east are filled with caves. Underground, cities are built and filled with ammunition, 'said Erdogan.

The Turkish authorities announced the state of emergency after the failed coup last year. That enabled Erdogan to rule by decree by far. According to critics, the measure is being abused to address opposition to government.