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| The Grand Turk |
| Turkish FM meets with Syrian opposition council |
| 2011-10-18 |
| Turkey's foreign minister held his first publically acknowledged meeting with Syrian opposition leaders, urging them to use peaceful means despite the biggest offensive yet in the city of Homs by Assad's forces. Ahmed Davutoglu's discussion with the opposition Syrian National Council Monday night, followed a threat by Syria to deal sternly with any country which recognizes the council. Davutoglu told the council "the Syrian opposition ... should employ peaceful and legitimate means to express their just demands and in a peaceful manner work to maintain the unity of the opposition and for a democratic transformation." Lebanese analyst Hilal Khashan said, "The meeting is the first step toward Turkey recognizing the National Council, they are not very worried about the regime's reaction because the relationship is already ruptured." Turkey has allowed Assad's opponents to meet in Turkish cities since the protests started in March and has also given sanctuary to the most senior Syrian military to defect. The creation of the council has been welcomed by Western countries. However, unlike the transitional council set up by Libyan rebels, Western governments have not offered the SNC formal recognition, fearing a civil war that could destabilize the region. |
| Posted by:ryuge |