Erdogan slams criticism of disputed Turkey poll

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday  denounced the West's "crusader mentality" on Monday after European monitors criticised a referendum in which he won sweeping new powers.

Erdogan, whose narrow victory laid bare the nation's divisions, told flag-waving supporters that foreign election observers should "know their place" and Turkey did not "see, hear or acknowledge" criticism that the vote did not live up to international standards.

"The crusader mentality in the West and its servants at home have attacked us," he told a crowd as he arrived at Ankara airport, in response to the vote monitors' assessment.

"We neither see, hear, nor acknowledge the political reports you'll prepare," Erdogan said later at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. "We'll continue on our path. Talk to the hand. This country has carried out the most democratic elections, not seen anywhere in the West."

The referendum was seen as crucial not just for shaping Turkey's political system but also the future strategic direction of a nation that has been a NATO member since 1952 and a European Union hopeful for half a century.

Erdogan argues that concentration of power is needed to prevent instability, but opponents accuse him of leading a drive towards one-man rule in Turkey.

The "Yes" camp won 51.41 percent in Sunday's referendum, according to complete results released by election authorities. The narrow victory was ruled valid by Turkey's electoral body, despite claims of irregularities by the opposition.

The opposition had immediately cried foul, and called for the vote to be annulled. They claimed a clean vote would have made a difference of several percentage points and handed them victory.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) said they would challenge the results from most ballot boxes due to alleged violations.

"There is only one decision to ease the situation in the context of the law -- the Supreme Election Board (YSK) should annul the vote," the Dogan news agency quoted CHP deputy leader Bulent Tezcan as saying.

The referendum has no "democratic legitimacy", HDP spokesman and lawmaker Osman Baydemir told reporters in Ankara.

US President Donald Trump called Erdogan to congratulate him on his victory, while EU leaders gave more reserved responses.

The White House said Trump spoke with Erdogan "to congratulate him on his recent referendum victory" and to discuss Syria and the fight against the Islamic State group.

There were protests in Istanbul with a few thousand people crowding the anti-Erdogan Besiktas and Kadikoy districts, blowing whistles and chanting "We are shoulder to shoulder against fascism".

Others brandished viral hashtag slogans from the referendum night like "The 'No' is not finished" and "'No' has won".