Thousands protest Obama's visit to Turkey

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:25:06 GMT | PressTV

Thousands of people have staged anti-US rallies in different parts of Turkey to protest against US President Barack Obama's visit to the country.

"Obama don't come! We don't want you!" the protesters shouted in Turkey's capital city of Ankara on Saturday, a day before Obama arrives in the country, AP reported.

Thousands of protesters also took to the streets in Istanbul's Kadikoy district, chanting "Obama go back home."

Obama left Prague at the end of a summit with European leaders on Sunday and is heading to a two-day visit to Turkey.

The US president is expected to land in Ankara at 9:30 p.m. (1830 GMT), where he is scheduled to address parliament and visit the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, on Monday.

After giving an address in parliament on Monday afternoon, Obama will fly to Istanbul, where he will attend a meeting Tuesday of the Alliance of Civilizations, a forum sponsored by Turkey and Spain to promote understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds.

The country has launched an extensive security operation ahead of Obama's first visit to the country. Military jets and police helicopters will patrol a no-fly zone over the skies of Ankara when Obama arrives, AP reported citing an official.

According to local media, police snipers, riot police and anti-terrorism agents are also deployed to the city.