Turkey eyes new sanctions against Syria

Turkey considers the expansion of sanctions against Syria in case of continued violence in the country, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, TRT Haber TV channel reports on Wednesday.

"We are monitoring the situation in Syria. Expanded package of sanctions is prepared against Syria, but it is in case, if the violence in the country doesn't stop. While Ankara confined itself to expelling the Ambassador of Syria," Erdogan said.

The Prime Minister also said Ankara will not continue to remain silent in the face of violence in Syria. Murder of 110 Syrians in the Syrian village of Houla is an act of vandalism that can not be forgotten, Erdogan said.

On Wednesday, Turkey decided to expel diplomats of Syrian Embassy in Ankara in protest against the massacre of inhabitants of the Syrian village of Houla.

Yesterday the U.S., Spain, UK, Italy, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries announced about expulsion of Syrian diplomats.

According to international observers, more than 100 people, including women and children became victims of the attack on Houla on May 25-26.

The vast majority of the victims were executed, in particular, were shot at close range. Others were killed in the shelling.

The Syrian authorities deny any involvement in the tragedy and blame Islamic militants for the killings.

Syria has been covered by anti-government speeches for more than a year resulting in violent clashes. According to UN figures, the total number of victims in the country exceeds 10,000. In turn, the Syrian authorities say the number of those killed in clashes was over 2,500 soldiers and police officers against whom there are well-armed militants.

There is an agreement on a ceasefire within the plan of the UN and Arab League special envoy on resolving the situation, Kofi Annan. However, the conflict sides regularly report about new armed incidents and victims.


/Trend/