ISTANBUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as he widened a crackdown against thousands of members of the security forces, judiciary, civil service and academia after a failed military coup.

Erdogan said the state of emergency, which would last three months, would allow his government to take swift and effective measures against supporters of the coup and was allowed under the constitution.

The state of emergency would go into force after it is published in Turkeys official gazette and would allow the president and cabinet to bypass parliament in passing new laws and to limit or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary.

Erdogan made the announcement during a live television broadcast in front of government ministers after a nearly five-hour meeting of the National Security Council.

The aim of the declaration of the state of emergency is to be able to take fast and effective steps against this threat against democracy, the rule of law and rights and freedoms of our citizens, Erdogan said.

About 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended, detained or are under investigation since Fridays military coup attempt.

The failed putsch and the purge that followed have unsettled the country of 80 million, which borders Syrias chaos and is a Western ally against Islamic State.