Turkey rejects Ocalan's offer

"A ceasefire is done between states. It is not something for the terrorist organisation," Erdogan said in an interview late on Thursday with Samanyolu private television channel, referring to the Ocalan’s outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"The terrorist organisation must lay down its arms. That is what we are waiting for to restore peace in the (Kurdish) region." Ocalan on Thursday appealed from his prison cell to the PKK to call a truce in its battle with the Turkish security forces.

"I appeal to the PKK to call a ceasefire... (and) not use weapons unless it is attacked with the aim of being annihilated," he said. The Turkish army, which has been battling the PKK in southeastern Turkey since 1984, has ignored such ceasefire announcements in the past.

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