(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ANKARA, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- Turkey warned on Tuesday that external interference that leads to escalation in Iran's ongoing protests should be averted.

The Turkish foreign ministry, in a press statement, voiced concern about reported casualties in demonstrations and protests in Iran.

"Turkey is concerned about reports that demonstrations that started on Dec. 28 in Iran have spread, there are deaths and that public buildings have been damaged," the ministry said.

Iran is a friend and brotherly country to Turkey, which attaches great importance to the protection of social peace and stability, it added.

It said Turkey believes in the necessity of averting violence and provocation in Iran, calling for taking into account President Hassan Rouhani's recent statements that people have the right to peaceful protests but the law should be observed and public property be protected.

Anti-government demonstrations and protests erupted on Thursday in Iran's northeastern cities of Mashhad and Kashmar, and then spread to other cities nationwide. (end) rs.mt

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