Foundation taking over Gülen schools in Guinea to end the cult’s African base

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Tuesday with his Guinean counterpart, Alpha Conde in the Beştepe Presidential Palace in Ankara. The two leaders reportedly discussed improving political and economic ties between the two countries as well as the situation of schools belonging to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

Guinea declared its support for Turkey in its struggle against FETÖ as the government of Guinea transferred the administration of five schools run by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) to the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMV) last week. TMV Deputy Chairman Dr. Hasan Yavuz said that the decision was made as the result of a goodwill protocol signed between Turkey and Guinea. He also underscored that President Erdoğan's visit to Guinea on May 3 had a positive impact regarding the decision. Saying that they met with personnel and made plans for next year, Yavuz vowed that they will ramp up the quality of the schools. The schools started operating this week.

The Maarif Foundation has also taken over some other FETÖ schools in several countries including Rwanda and Pakistan.

Speaking to Daily Sabah, Birol Akgün, the director of the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMV), said that they aim to provide a high-class education in the international arena and help carry the culture of Anatolian people abroad. "Besides African countries, we will continue our educational efforts in all the other relative and allied nations," Akgün said.

Turkey congratulates UN on 71st anniversary

President Erdoğan has called on the U.N. to "take the leading part" in the fight against terrorism in a message to congratulate the organization on its 71st anniversary.

In a statement released by the presidential office on Monday, Erdoğan said: "As a country that has been fighting against different terrorist organizations for a long time, we hope that the U.N. takes a leading role in the fight against terrorism."

Erdoğan said as a founding member, Turkey is "one of the fiercest supporters of the U.N. and the values the body represents."

"Our country - which has been increasing the amount it gives to the U.N.'s annual budget - has been putting in a strong effort to make Istanbul the center of the organization," Erdoğan said, adding, "We believe that Istanbul - with its primeval history, rich cultural background, strategic location and natural beauties - will make valuable contributions to the body's missions and vision as a headquarters.

"The World Humanitarian Summit, which took place in Istanbul in May 2016, was a sign of our sensibility on humanitarian tragedies," said Erdoğan. Erdoğan added Turkey was the "voice of the global conscience" as it is host to more than 3 million refugees from Iraq and Syria.