Briefs

We’d say Goodbye: Erdogan

ANKARA: Turkey would tell Germany "goodbye" if it decided to withdraw its troops from the Incirlik air force base, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday. Erdogan, who was speaking in Ankara before flying to Brussels for a summit of Nato leaders and a meeting with European Union leaders, also said that Turkey had not received any indication from Berlin on the possible withdrawal of troops stationed at the southern Turkish air force base.

 

SL police ‘failing to stop anti-Muslim attacks’

COLOMBO: Rights groups accused Sri Lankan police on Wednesday of failing to stop a wave of hate crimes against Muslim businesses and mosques in the Buddhist-majority country.  Police are yet to make any arrests in connection with more than a dozen arson attacks against Muslims shops, mosques and a burial ground in the past month.  Prominent rights activist Victor Ivan said the inaction risked a repeat of anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that left four dead.  "Police are responsible for allowing this situation to continue by not taking action against the perpetrators," Ivan told reporters in Colombo, adding that an extremist Buddhist group was believed to be behind the violence. Only property has been damaged so far in the latest spate of attacks.  The government said on Wednesday the violence had been addressed in a cabinet meeting and police and security forces had been instructed to maintain law and order.