Erdogan condemns criticism of Turkey's quake response

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with people in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey February 8, 2023. Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday condemned criticism of the government's response to devastating earthquakes that have killed more than 11,000 people in southern Turkey and northwest Syria.

"This is a time for unity, solidarity. In a period like this, I cannot stomach people conducting negative campaigns for political interest," he told reporters on his arrival in the southern province of Hatay.