Inal Batu laid to rest in Istanbul

Inal Batu, a former politician and diplomat who died as a result of heart failure on Monday, was buried after his funeral prayer in Istanbul on Tuesday. Batu's wife, Nevra Batu, his daughter, actress Pelin Batu, his son, academic Arda Batu, and many state officials were present at the funeral which was held at Istanbul's Tesvikiye Mosque. Among the participants were Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, former Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, former CHP deputy leader Onur Oymen, CHP Istanbul deputy Oktay Eksi, CHP deputy Suleyman Celebi, former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Sirri Sureyya Onder, former Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Abdulkadir Aksu, columnist Hincal Uluc and journalist Guneri Civaoglu. Prominent political figures offered their condolences to Batu's family after the funeral prayer. Furthermore, President Abdullah Gul, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik and former Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin phoned Inal Batu’s daughter and conveyed their condolences.