New Zealand FM to \'confront\' Erdogan over remarks on mosque attack

New Zealand FM to 'confront' Erdogan over remarks on mosque attack

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on Wednesday said that will travel to to "confront" the comments made by Recep Erdogan over twin mosque shootings in Christchurch that killed 50 people.

Dubbing the mosque attacks as an assault on as well as Islam, Erdogan noted that Turkey would make the suspected attacker pay if fails to do so.

The strong remarks by the Turkish apparently referred to the lone shooter of Christchurch attacks, 28-year-old Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, who in a video posted on said that the attacks was aimed at all Muslim "invaders".

In the wake of Erdogan's remarks, said would seek urgent clarification over the remarks during his visit.

"Our will be confronting those comments in Turkey," addressed the media, while adding, "He is going there to set the record straight, face-to-face."

Meanwhile, Australian on Wednesday condemned Erdogan's remarks as "reckless" and "highly offensive in this very sensitive environment."

After summoned the Turkish (to Australia) on the same day, Morrison stated that he does not "accept the excuses that have been offered" for the comments, that they were said "in the heat of the moment ... in an electoral context".

"I am expecting, and I have asked, for these comments to be clarified, to be withdrawn ... I expect that to occur," Morrison said.

Furthermore, Morrison added that will review its for Turkey, a threat that could see Australians directed not to travel to Turkey for commemorations at Gallipoli, attended by thousands every year on April 25, the reported.

The accused, Tarrant, live-streamed his gruesome act on for 17 minutes and police believe that the accused had single-handedly carried out the terror attack at both the mosques under a span of 36 minutes during the Friday prayers for which a large number of worshippers had congregated.

Tarrant, who appeared before the court on murder charges, was remanded in custody without plea until April 5.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, March 20 2019. 15:56 IST