Erdogan and Trump hold telephone conversation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called US President-elect Donald Trump by phone and discussed improving relations and cooperating in fighting terrorism, sources in Ankara said.

Erdogan congratulated Trump on his unexpected election win and said Turkey and the United States were allies brought together by mutual respect, common interests and values, Reuters reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan said he hoped Trump's victory would lead to "beneficial steps" for the Middle East and for basic rights and freedoms.