Ankara says cannot accept threatening language from Washington

Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) has blasted the United States administration for its "threatening language" over the arrest of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

"It was noted in the meeting that the threatening language used by the U.S. against our country is disrespectful and unacceptable," the MGK statement says.

The MGK convened July 30 for the first time after Turkey's shift to executive presidential system. After the meeting, which took more than five hours, the council reiterated in a statement that Ankara would not step back in the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the U.S.

The council also condemned the recent U.S. stance on defense industry projects on which "Turkey fulfills every kind of responsibilities," saying this stance would irreparably harm the strategic partnership between the two countries, Hurriyet Daily News reported.