Ankara warns of mounting violence in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu cautioned here Sunday against increasing violence in Syria and consequent threats to regional security and stability. He gave the warning in a phone call with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon following reported violent clashes between regular forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Aleppo. During the phone conversation, they discussed the current situation in Syria in general and Aleppo in particular as well as Syrian refugees in Syria's neighboring countries, primarily Turkey and Jordan, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a release. The Turkish foreign minister told the UN chief that the Syrian regime had increased suppression against the Syrian people, considering this violence a menace to security and stability in Syria's neighboring nations, it said. For his part, Ban voiced concern over escalating humanitarian conditions in Aleppo, calling for decisive international action against violence in Syria. Meanwhile, the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) said a plan was presently underway for a post-Assad transitional stage in Syria. Relevant preparations are to be thrashed out at an extended meeting for opposition groups in Cairo next week, it added.