DHAKA: Turkey's elite presidential guard to be disbanded after nearly 300 of its members were detained following last week's failed coup.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a TV channel that there was ‘no need’ for the regiment, BBC reports on Sunday (July 24).

Earlier, Turkey detained a nephew of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen who it said was behind the uprising. He strongly denies the claim.

A key aide of Gulen has also been arrested, a presidency official said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched a widespread crackdown following the attempted coup, arresting thousands of service personnel and sacking or suspending thousands of government officials, school teachers and university heads.

A state of emergency was declared on Wednesday, allowing the president and cabinet to bypass parliament when drafting new laws and to restrict or suspend rights and freedoms.

‘There will no longer be a presidential guard, there is no purpose, there is no need,’ Yildirim said.

BDST: 1006 HRS, July 24, 2016
SAS/AKA