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ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday declared state of emergency for three months following a failed coup attempt on July 15.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on July 20, 2016. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday declared state of emergency for three months following a failed coup attempt on July 15. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya)

"In the national security council meeting, we decided to propose the government to declare state of emergency according to article 120 of the constitution. The cabinet has decided to declare state of emergency for three months," Erdogan said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting he chaired on Wednesday.

"This practice is not against democracy, law and freedom. In contrary, it's for defending, extending and enhancing these values," he added.

"Declaring state of emergency aims to take steps for eliminating the risk posed against our citizens' rights and freedoms, democracy, state of law in our country, in the most efficient and rapid way," Erdogan said.

The president called on the nation not to worry, saying that they have taken necessary measures, including the economic ones.

The state of emergency will take into effect after approved at the parliament.

The failed coup attempt, which began last Friday, was crushed the next day; at least 290 people, including more than 100 "coup plotters," were killed, authorities said.