Erdogan Tells Syria Allies to Stop Backing 'Brutal' Regime
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged China, Iran and Russia Sunday to end their support for the Syrian regime, warning that "history will not forgive" their stance in the face of mounting bloodshed.
"Please rethink your current attitude. History will not forgive those who have sided with these brutal regimes," Erdogan said in a speech at a congress of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Erdogan, a one-time ally of President Bashar Assad, has become a fervent critic of the regime since a peaceful uprising against Damascus turned into a bloody revolt.
Russia, a traditional Damascus ally, and China have blocked all U.N. Security Council resolutions on the conflict that according to activists has now left around 30,000 people dead in 18 months.
Shiite-led Iran is Syria's closest regional ally and is accused by several Western and Sunni-led Arab nations of providing military aid to Assad's regime.
Turkey backs the Syrian rebels and Erdogan said it is also hosting about 91,000 refugees from the conflict in several border camps.
Source: Agence France Presse
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