Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu calls for a "decisive" action by the United States with regard to the extradition of opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of orchestrating coup.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu calls for a "decisive" action by the United States with regard to the extradition of opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of orchestrating last week’s failed coup attempt.

“If you want to draw out the Gulen extradition issue it can take years, but if you are decisive it can be completed in a short period,” Cavusoglu told state-run TRT Haber television news network on Friday.

He added that Turkey is ready to participate in a commission Washington has proposed to set up to deal with the possible extradition.

Gulen has condemned the coup attempt and denied any involvement in the violence. He has instead stated that the botched putsch may have been staged by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself as an excuse to crack down on Turkey’s political dissent and expand his presidential powers.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Washington would consider Ankara’s extradition request, but Gulen would be sent back only after compelling evidence corroborates his culpability.

Cavusoglu also called on Greek officials to deport eight pro-coup Turkish soldiers, who fled following the July 15 abortive coup.

“The coup plotters are asking for political asylum. [But] they cannot be granted political asylum. What we expect from Greek authorities is that they cooperate [with Turkey], and send these traitors back,” the top Turkish diplomat said.