Erdogan has not called Monument to Humanity 'freak' - Turkish minister of culture

The word 'freak' used by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Kars did not absolutely refer to the Monument to Humanity, the Turkish minister of tourism and culture, Ertugrul Gunay, has said, Ankara news agency reported.

"I was accompanying Erdogan. He didn't pronounce the word statue. Erdogan called for tearing down all the constructions that do not go in tune with the historical environment of the town of Kars," the Turkish official said.

"The discussions on the statue which started long ago were concerned with determining its location. It hasn't been completed, so we'll try to find some solution with its author and the municipality," Gunay said, adding that the statue symbolizes unification.