By Akin Nazli in Belgrade The “messengers” of Abdullah Ocalan, the long-imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), on February 27 called a surprise press conference after visiting the 75-year-old on the Turkish prison island where he is held.

Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan has called on his militant group to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a bid to end a four-decade long conflict.

Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region,