Ocalan Calls for Action to Complete Peace Process with Turkey

Imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan has called for action with "seriousness and responsibility" to complete the peace process with Turkey. His message was made public by Turkish parliamentarians.

Ocalan, who called for his movement to dissolve in February, has been held in isolation on the island prison of Imrali, near Istanbul, since 1999.

The PKK announced the withdrawal of its fighters from Turkey in October, completing the first phase of the peace process that began a year ago.

The pro-Kurdish party is asking for the process to move to the legal and political stage. Ocalan stressed the need for a stable transition within the legal framework of the Republic.

A cross-party committee is planning this transition, examining the fate of Ocalan and security guarantees for his fighters. Ocalan's release is a central demand of the PKK.

According to analysts, the PKK has been weakened by the conflicts, and the Kurdish community is exhausted.