Obama: All parties in Turkey should support Erdogan gov't

(AP/Fox 11) - President Barack Obama is urging all parties in Turkey to support the democratically-elected government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He's urging them to show restraint and avoid any violence or bloodshed amid a military takeover of the key NATO ally.

The White House says Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry consulted by phone Friday night after the stunning turn of events.

Kerry, who was traveling in Moscow, underscored that the State Department will focus on keeping U.S. citizens in Turkey safe and secure.

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The European Union's foreign policy chief called for "restraint and respect for democratic institutions" in Turkey after the military said that it seized control of the country.

Federica Mogherini also tweeted while on a trip to Mongolia that she was "in constant contact" with EU offices in Istanbul and Ankara. Explosions have been heard in the capital, with gunfire also erupting in both cities.

Government officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, tried to play down reports that the military was in control. Erdogan called for citizens to take to the streets in a show of support for the government, and said the coup attempt would be unsuccessful.

Turkish news agency Dogan has reported that soldiers have opened fired on people trying to cross Istanbul's Bosporus bridge in protest of the attempted coup, and some have been wounded.

TV footage showed people running for cover as shots rang out. Earlier, a statement attributed to the military said that Turkish armed forces have "fully seized control" of the country.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan then called on citizens to take to the streets in a show of support for the government.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to CNN-Turk through FaceTime, called the actions by the military "an attempt at an uprising by a minority within our armed forces."

The president's office refused to disclose Erdogan's whereabouts, saying he was at a secure location. Erdogan said "I don't believe this coup attempt will be successful."

Erdogan added: "There is absolutely no chain of command here. Right now the chain of command has been put on hold.'

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A Turkish news agency has published a statement from the military saying the armed forces have "fully seized control" of the country.

The Dogan agency reported that the statement said that the military did this "to reinstall the constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms, to ensure that the rule of law once again reigns in the country, for the law and order to be reinstated."

The military statement went on to say that "all international agreements and commitments will remain. We pledge that good relations with all world countries will continue."

Earlier, Turkey's prime minister said a group within Turkey's military has engaged in what appeared to be an attempted coup. Binali Yildirim spoke to NTV television in the past tense, acknowledging a coup attempt.

Military jets have been heard flying over the capital, Ankara, and media reports say ambulances have been seen in front of the Turkey's military headquarters

The White House says President Barack Obama has been briefed on developments in key NATO ally Turkey where the military claims to have seized power in a coup.

The National Security Council said Obama had been apprised of Friday "unfolding situation" in Turkey and would continue to get regular updates.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he hopes for stability and continuity in Turkey following the reports.

Kerry, in Moscow for talks with Russian officials on Syria on Friday, told reporters he didn't have details of the situation rapidly unfolding on the ground in Turkey and said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on developments. But, he expressed hope that the key ally and strategically important member of the coalition fighting the Islamic State would remain at peace.