NICOSIA, Cyprus – Several thousand demonstrators have rallied in Cyprus' capital Nicosia to denounce the July 15 failed coup in Turkey and show support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Demonstrators, including many mainland Turks who live in the island's breakaway north, chanted pro-democracy slogans along with Erdogan's name in an outburst of national fervor in Sarayonu Square Friday.
An eight-meter (26-foot) banner emblazoned with the image of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was flanked by the flags of Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriots. Images of Ataturk in military uniform and civilian clothes were also projected onto a massive screen behind a stage where speakers addressed the crowd.