White House: U.S. won't 'micromanage' Turkey after failed coup

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan leaves after a news conference following the National Security Council and cabinet meetings at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 20, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is encouraging the Turkish government to maintain democratic institutions after an attempted coup and the international community "will be watching" what happens in the NATO country, the White House said on Thursday. However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said at a news briefing, "The United States is not going to micromanage the situation in Turkey." (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)