09/06/2011 17:54
Turkey will not close its doors to Syrian refugees, Erdogan says
Turkey will not close its doors to refugees fleeing unrest in Syria, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday after reports of more than 120 Syrians who crossed the border, Reuters reported.
Erdogan said Ankara was monitoring developments in Syria with concern and called on Damascus to show more tolerance towards its citizens after latest clashes in northwest Syria by the border with Turkey.
Syrians have fled the town of Jisr al-Shughour fearing bloodshed as troops with tanks approached, under orders to hit back after the government accused armed bands there of killing scores of security men.
A total 122 Syrians, including women and children, entered Turkey and were being housed in tents set up by the Red Crescent in the Yayladagi district of southern Turkey's Hatay province, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.