ANKARA - Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Saturday that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) must dissolve "as soon as possible" and surrender its weapons unconditionally in all regions.

Addressing a ceremony in Ankara to mark the 110th anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory during World War I and March 18 Martyrs' Remembrance Day, Guler said, "Our ultimate goal is the complete elimination of terrorist organizations."

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He stressed that the process would not be allowed to be sabotaged, abused, or prolonged, and a cautious and rational approach would be adopted.

The minister's remarks follow the PKK's March 1 announcement of a unilateral ceasefire after a call from its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan. On Feb 27, Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, urged the PKK and its affiliated groups to disband and lay down their arms.

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The Turkish government has been engaged in a 40-year-long conflict with the group, which has claimed over 40,000 lives.