France urges Turkey to respect rights in aftermath of coup

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, left, and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu shake hands after a joint news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Ayrault has called for an end of the "massive bombing raids" by Russia and the Syrian government forces to allow for the delivery of aid to beleaguered populations and the resumption of peace efforts in Syria. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

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France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center, visits the mausoleum of Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016.(AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, center, follows a military honour guard as he visits the mausoleum of Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016.(AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

ANKARA, Turkey – France's foreign minister has urged Turkey to respect rights and freedoms in the aftermath of a failed coup, saying democracy is the best defense against those trying to defy it.

Jean-Marc Ayrault said in Ankara on Monday that France understands Turkey's need to pursue the coup plotters but said the country must respect the rule of law.

Turkey declared a 90-day state of emergency and began a massive crackdown on a movement led by a U.S.-based Muslim cleric whom it accuses of orchestrating the failed coup.

The state of emergency, which was extended this month by another 90 days, allows authorities to detain suspects for up to 30 days and limits their access to lawyers.

Ayrault says: "lawyers must be able to conduct their profession freely."