Turkish FM: developments in Syria not to be tolerated

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that recent developments in Syrian cities of Deir al-Zour and Latakia could not be tolerated. Davutoglu made the remarks at a press conference, saying that he made two requirements to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his visit to Damascus last week. "The first was an immediate end to military operations and withdrawal of Syrian forces from cities including Hama. And the second one was meeting Syrian people's democratic demands," he said. "Turkey has never tolerated operations that could result in civilian casualties so far and we will not tolerate them in the future," he added. "Syria has taken some steps in two days after my visit to Damascus including withdrawal of tanks from Hama and opening of the city to the Turkish ambassador in Damascus as well as national and international media. But Syria has intensified operations since Thursday night," said Davutoglu. Davutoglu said that it was impossible to consider these events as domestic affairs of Syria on the basis of human rights, adding that he also extended Turkey's support to Syrian people's rightful democratic demands. "On several occasions, we have called on Syrian authorities to put an immediate end to operations which cause civilian casualties. If operations are not halted, there will be nothing to talk about. What have happened in Deir al-Zour and Latakia cannot be tolerated, " he said.