BREAKING NEWS: The attempted coup in Turkey is prevented

The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) says a coup attempt in the country has been repelled and the situation has been restored to normal.

In comments carried by Turkish broadcaster on Saturday morning, the MIT spokesman said the intelligence agency’s headquarters was targeted by hijacked military helicopters, but the coup attempt was "foiled”.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also announced in the early hours of Saturday morning that the situation is largely under control and that a no-fly zone was imposed over the capital Ankara.

Yildirim added that Chief of Military Staff Hulusi Akar and other high-ranking commanders are now in charge of the situation.

Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT is now back on air.

Hours earlier, the Turkish military said it had fully seized control of the country and that the rule of law must remain a priority.

"The power in the country has been seized in its entirety," said a military official statement read on television, without giving further details.