Tens of thousands in pro-democracy rally in Istanbul, Turkey

Tens of thousands of people have joined a pro-democracy rally in Istanbul, condemning the nation's attempted coup.

The rally was organised by the opposition party CHP but was backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK party, in a rare show of unity.

Amid a sea of red flags, banners bore slogans such as "We defend the republic!"

The CHP's leader said "democracy won!" but he also warned against the dangers of authoritarianism.
One banner read: "No to the coup, no to dictatorship".

Many of the CHP supporters gathered in Taksim Square waved flags with a picture of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Despite Turkey's political divisions, Istanbul's mayor and other AK party leaders joined the opposition demonstrators.

Posters at the rally proclaimed "No to coups".

In his speech, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said that amid the turmoil, "the parliament stood proudly, Turkey stood proudly, MPs stood proudly, people in this square have stood proudly, and democracy won!"

But he also stressed the importance of a free press and freedom of assembly, as well as the dangers of dictatorship and authoritarianism.

He said: "The state cannot be governed by grudge, anger and prejudice. Those responsible for the coup should be tried lawfully, with the understanding of abiding by the rule of law."

In a rare move, pro-government television channels broadcast the speech live