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Turkey PM takes aim at Assad
Source: Agencies |
November 16, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Turkey no longer has confidence in the Syrian government, its prime minister said yesterday, warning Syrian President Bashar Assad that his brutal crackdown on opponents threatens to place him on a list of leaders who "feed on blood."
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also urged Assad to punish those responsible for attacks on Turkish diplomatic missions in Syria. Addressing Assad disrespectfully by his first name, Erdogan said: "Bashar, you who have thousands of people in jail, must find the culprits and punish them."
Assad's supporters tried to break into Turkish missions on Saturday to denounce an Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership over its crackdown on the eight-month uprising. Turkey is not a member of the league, but welcomed the decision.
Erdogan took pains to note that his comments were politically neutral.
"It is not among our expectations that the Assad government meet all the demands of the (Syrian) people," Erdogan said. "Our wish is that it, which is now on a knife-edge, does not enter this road of no return, which leads to the edge of the abyss."
Turkey evacuated the families of diplomats after Saturday's attacks on its embassy in Damascus and consulates in the cities of Aleppo and Latakia.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned Syria that it must protect Turkish missions. "If they don't take necessary measures, no doubt our reaction will be different if it is repeated."
Turkey has long urged Syria to end the crackdown, which the United Nations estimates has killed more than 3,500 people since mid-March.
Turkey's government had cultivated warm ties with Assad, but has grown highly critical of his government.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also urged Assad to punish those responsible for attacks on Turkish diplomatic missions in Syria. Addressing Assad disrespectfully by his first name, Erdogan said: "Bashar, you who have thousands of people in jail, must find the culprits and punish them."
Assad's supporters tried to break into Turkish missions on Saturday to denounce an Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership over its crackdown on the eight-month uprising. Turkey is not a member of the league, but welcomed the decision.
Erdogan took pains to note that his comments were politically neutral.
"It is not among our expectations that the Assad government meet all the demands of the (Syrian) people," Erdogan said. "Our wish is that it, which is now on a knife-edge, does not enter this road of no return, which leads to the edge of the abyss."
Turkey evacuated the families of diplomats after Saturday's attacks on its embassy in Damascus and consulates in the cities of Aleppo and Latakia.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned Syria that it must protect Turkish missions. "If they don't take necessary measures, no doubt our reaction will be different if it is repeated."
Turkey has long urged Syria to end the crackdown, which the United Nations estimates has killed more than 3,500 people since mid-March.
Turkey's government had cultivated warm ties with Assad, but has grown highly critical of his government.
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