Turkish government spokesman criticizes operations in Syria

ANKARA (A.A) - August 8, 2011 - The spokesman for the Turkish government has said, "while the world expects the Syrian government to make democratic reforms in line with Syrian people's demands, large-scale operations resulted in civilian casualties in Syria. Neither timing nor method of those operations is unacceptable."
Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Bulent Arinc said following the Council of Ministers meeting, "Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu informed the Council of Ministers on developments in Syria. Syria is a neighboring and friendly country. Turkish and Syrian peoples share a common history, destiny and future. We attach great importance to prosperity, tranquillity and stability of Syria."
"Davutoglu will travel to Syrian on Tuesday upon Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's directives. He will explain Turkey's views and ideas in a determined way. Our attitude about developments in neighboring and friendly countries is clear. Syrian people's rightful demands should be met and democratic reforms should be carried out. However, while the world expects the Syrian government to make democratic reforms in line with Syrian people's demands, large-scale operations resulted in civilian casualties in Syria. Neither timing nor method of those operations is unacceptable," he said.     
"Government forces launched operations in big cities by using tanks and artillery. Those operations resulted in a number of civilian casualties. Such methods cannot be accepted. Their timing is also wrong. Because Ramadan is the holy month of Muslim people. We regret that hundreds of people including women and children lost their lives in Syria. We hope that Davutoglu's visit will yield positive results," he said.  
Referring to the humanitarian tragedy in the Horn of Africa, Arinc told reporters, "an aid campaign has been launched with a government notice. So far, our people donated 19.67 million Turkish lira (nearly $11.5 million). The Red Crescent, the Directorate of Religious Affairs and the Turkish International Cooperation & Development Agency (TIKA) sent 67 tons of foodstuff and 13 tons of medicine by two cargo planes of the Turkish Airlines."