Saudi prince says Fethullah Gulen more dangerous than Daesh

Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has said that the Fethullah Gulen group reportedly behind last month’s failed coup in Turkey is more dangerous than Daesh during an interview on Sunday with Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper.

He made the comment during an interview in which he said that his annual visit to Turkey had not been affected by the recent coup attempt.

“I decided earlier to visit Antalya, but after the failed coup attempt, I said to myself I have to immediately go to Turkey. We are against a group that is more dangerous than Daesh to threaten Turkey,” he said.

“I am in Turkey to show my support for President Erdogan. He is my friend and also a friend of the Arab and Muslim worlds. President Erdogan is the founder of Turkey in the 21st century,” the prince said.

He added: “Turkey represents moderate Islam in the Muslim world. Therefore, this visit is to show political, economic and personal support to President Erdogan.”

The prince said: “King Salman has personally telephoned President Erdogan after the failed coup attempt to congratulate him. As you know, in such situations, even if the state under the threat of a coup attempt is friendly to Saudi Arabia, the kingdom warns its citizens against travel to that country, but the kingdom did not issue that warning in the case of Turkey.”