“Withdrawal Of Tanks From Hama Is Positive Outcome Of Turkey's Initiatives”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that withdrawal of Syrian army's tanks from city of Hama was important in terms of getting positive results from Turkey's initiatives.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who held a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday, said that armoured vehicles and tanks of Syrian army were withdrawn from the city of Hama where the army has been launching assault for weeks. 

The developments in Syria directly concern both Turkey and the stability and security in the region, said Erdogan who spoke at his Justice & Development (AK) Party's meeting in Ankara. 

Noting that Turkish foreign minister Davutoglu conveyed Turkey's views as well as future steps to Syrian leader in Damascus, Erdogan said that Turkey stated in its message that bloodshed and use of force and violence towards the civilians and protestors should stop. 

Talking about reforms would not be convincing for the international community while people were dying each day, said Erdogan, adding that they asked al-Assad to hear democracy demand of Syrian people. 

We will continue to follow the developments in Syria closely in the next period too, said Erdogan. 

Erdogan expressed hope that all tanks and armoured vehicles would be withdrawn in the next 10-15 days and Syria would take steps for reform.

 

AA