Iran, Turkey discuss Syria developments

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (R) and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu attend a joint news conference in the Iranian capital, Tehran, July 10, 2011. (File photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/193960.html

Iran and Turkey have discussed the recent developments in the Middle East particularly the unrest in Syria as the Turkish military moves to deploy its retired officers to cities along the Syrian border.

In a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi talked about Tehran-Ankara bilateral relations as well as regional developments, particularly the unrest in Syria, IRNA reported.

The Turkish military has called up recently retired officers in anticipation of a massive influx of Syrian refugees along its border with Syria.

Veterans that have retired from the military over the past five years are to be deployed in border provinces.

More personnel have already been sent to bases and strategically important outposts, with Turkish officials stating that “17,000 Syrians are on their way,” fleeing from destabilized regions of their country.

Turkish officials say there are already over 7,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey, and no one knows what might happen if the trend continues.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in Syria since the unrest began in mid-March.

The Syrian government blames armed gangs for the violence, saying that the unrest is being orchestrated from outside the country and security forces have been given clear instructions not to harm civilians. However, the opposition says security forces are behind the violence.