Speaking in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan reiterated his stance that foreign-backed elements in Turkey are planning to owerthrow his government.

"What they wanted to do was an attempted assassination of the national will," the Erdogan said, adding, "They tried to carry out a judicial coup in Turkey.... But we are going to oppose this operation, this December 17 plot that targeted the future, the stability of our country."

Erdogan’s plot charges are in response to a high-profile corruption inquiry that led to the arrests of government officials and prominent businessmen close to the government on December 17.

On December 25, 2013, Erdogan announced a major cabinet reshuffle replacing 10 ministers including the economy, interior, and environment ministers, who had resigned from their posts after their sons were arrested in the scandal.

The political crisis engulfing Erdogan has cost the economy $100 billion, a top official said a few days ago, as financial markets rebounded from a massive free fall.

Erdogan has accused US-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, of instigating the corruption investigation.

Gulen is an influential figure in Turkey and reportedly has many followers in some arms of the country’s state apparatus such as the judiciary, the police and secret services.

Gulen has denied any involvement in Turkey’s recent political crisis.

Erdogan, struggling to keep his grip on power after 11 years, has vowed he would survive what he has branded a "dirty" plot to try to topple him.

RA/SHI