Turkish parties agree to work on constitutional changes

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said yesterday that political parties had found enough common ground after a failed coup to pass a limited number of constitutional changes.The aim of all parties was to draft a new constitution after the abortive July 15 coup, Yildirim said at a news conference after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Tayyip Erdogan. The government, opposition parties, nongovernmental organisations and media had all come together, he said.The gendarmes and coast guard, which were under the command of the Turkish armed forces, would now report to the civilian interior ministry, Yildirim told reporters.Earlier yesterday, Turkey ordered the detention of 42 journalists,  broadcaster NTV reported, under a crackdown following the failed coup.President Erdogan has declared a state of emergency. The government has said these steps are needed to root out supporters of the coup and won’t infringe on the rights of ordinary Turks. Flights ‘proceed uninterrupted’All Turkish Airlines operations and flights “are proceeding uninterrupted and will continue to do so”, the national flag carrier of Turkey has said. Turkish Airlines serves 290 destinations in 116 nations across the globe, including Doha.