Syrian President says Turkey supplies weaponry to rebels

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey is supplying weapons to rebels, said the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, within the framework of the meeting with Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chairman Faruk Logoglu.

President Assad added that the U.S. opposes partnership between Turkey and Syria, with Turkey representing the interests of Washington.

Assad slammed Turkey, which, having failed to make amendments in the Constitution for thirty years, requires Syria to conduct wide-range reforms in three months' time.

"Turkey defends Muslim Brothers of Syria, which is a threat to the secular rule of the country," Assad said.

Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is preparing a package of sanctions against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad despite the UN Security Council’s failing to pass a resolution on Syria, Trend news reported quoting Cumhuriyet newspaper.

The Turkish armed forces are holding exercises in the Hatay area bordering Syria. The Syrian authorities have repeatedly concentrated the security forces in regions bordering Turkey due to exodus of the Syrians back after the riots. Syrian units, including tanks, were approaching the boundary line at a distance of 500 meters.

Some in Turkey argue that the Syrian troops conducted an operation in the border area to capture soldiers and deserters, trying to break in Turkey.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry earlier expressed concern in connection with Syria's military operations near the border and warned Syria about the dangers of such actions.

Meanwhile, the total number of Syrian nationals who fled to Turkey reached 7,605. They are housed in five camps under the administration of the Turkish Red Crescent.