Turkish PM Summons Ministers on Surprise Meeting

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has summoned seven cabinet ministers in charge of economic affairs at an extraordinary meeting.

The meeting took place in Erdogan's official residence in Ankara late Thursday evening, right after the PM's regular weekly meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The ministers called by Erdogan were Vice-PMs Besir Atalay and Ali Babacan, as well as Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, Minister of Finance Mehmet Sismek and Minister of Trade Hayati Yazaci, Ministe of Reconstruction Cevdet Yilmaz and Minister of Industry Nihat Ergun.

The news comes against the backdrop of a major corruption scandal that shook Turkey Wednesday and Thursday, after a number of high-profile persons, including three ministers' sons were detained.

There were additional reports that there is footage of a cabinet minister receiving a large bribe.

Erdogan has reacted, dismissing the operation as a "dirty" blackmail campaign against his cabinet.

In a separate statement Friday, ruling AKP party spokesman Hussein Celik stated that the party and cabinet in no way interfere with the ongoing investigation.

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