Kyrgyz leader hails Turkey's Erdogan on local poll win

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan's president on Tuesday congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the victory of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in weekend local elections, said Kyrgyz presidential sources.

In a phone conversation, Sooronbay Jeenbekov wished Erdogan great success and health, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Bilateral cooperation and implementation of agreements were also discussed during the call, the sources added.

Millions of Turkish citizens cast votes nationwide Sunday to choose mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is leading in 16 metropolitan municipalities (larger cities), with 24 smaller cities also claimed by AK Party candidates, according to unofficial results.

On Sunday, the People's Alliance (Cumhur Ittifaki) of the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) garnered the majority of the votes, or 51.62 percent, against their rivals the Nation Alliance (Millet Ittifaki), which got 37.56 percent.

Voter turnout was 84.67 percent, with 48.3 million votes cast.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz