Erdoğan refutes tweet claiming Gülen extradition rejected by Obama

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has denied ever saying US President Barack Obama turned down his request to extradite controversial U.S.-based imam Fethullah Gülen during a speech he made at the 69th U.N. General Assembly.

Erdoğan arrived in New York on Monday to attend the 69th U.N. General Assembly for the first time as head of state.

The head of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Richard Haass, following a speech Erdoğan delivered during a session closed to the press, shared a message via his Twitter account, claiming, Erdoğan in his speech said his demand to extradite Gülen was rejected by Obama.

Erdoğan, responding to the questions of reporters, however denied ever making such a statement. He added that there could be a red notice issued against him.

Erdoğan said he conveyed complaints about the issue to Obama and said he did not yet receive a response as he expected.

"Turkey makes things easier for America over the matter of extraditing criminals. US does not make it as easy for Turkey though." Erdoğan added.

Speaking at CFR Erdoğan also assessed regional and global developments that have been occupying both Turkey's and world's agenda. Noting that some media outlets in the US are under the influence of 'parallel structure', Erdoğan stated he hoped the Turkish and US governments would cooperate in the struggle against the Gülen movement which he underlined is a threat to both governments.