Turkish FM: Ankara supports arming Syria rebels

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says Ankara supports supplying arms to rebels in Syria fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Davutoglu claimed that the “international community’s message might be conveyed to the Syrian administration via certain methods including the arming of the Syrian National Council (SNC).” The Turkish foreign minister made the remarks in a press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi in Istanbul on Saturday. “If necessary, a transition similar to the Yemen model is worth discussion,” Davutoglu added. The latest remarks by the Turkish foreign minister come a couple of days after Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani said on February 27 that the “international community” should provide arms to the Syrian rebels and that “Arab countries should take the lead in providing a safe haven for rebels inside Syria.” Saudi Arabia has also voiced support for the rebels in Syria. President Assad said on February 20 that “some foreign countries” are fueling the year-long turmoil in Syria by supporting and funding “armed terrorist groups fighting against the government.”