BERLIN, Shawwal 11, 1437, Jul 16, 2016, SPA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday condemned the attempted military coup in Turkey and said Berlin stands by those who defend democracy and the rule of law, which must be observed when dealing with the coup's supporters, Reuters reported. Elmar Brok, a Merkel ally and chair of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, had earlier said he expected Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to take advantage of the attempted coup to strengthen his grip on power. "It's tragic that so many people died during this attempted coup," Merkel told reporters in Berlin. "The bloodshed in Turkey must stop now." Merkel said it was the right of the Turkish people to choose their political leader in free elections, and that political change should only be achieved within the framework of political institutions and the rules of democratic competition. "Tanks on the streets and air strikes against their own people are injustice," Merkel said. The conservative leader called on the Turkish government to treat the arrested supporters of the attempted coup in line with the fundamental principles of the rule of law. "We are guided by solidarity with all political forces in the government and the opposition who are committed to precisely these values," Merkel said. "Especially when dealing with those responsible for the tragic events of last night, the state under the rule of law should prove itself." European Parliament President Martin Schulz also urged Ankara to stick to the rule of law. "As distressing as the coup attempt is, which I condemn in the strongest terms, the Turkish government should not take the opportunity for its part to break democratic principles", Schulz told Tagesspiegel am Sonntag newspaper. --SPA 18:53 LOCAL TIME 15:53 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w