ANKARA
In a statement made at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Ankara, Ahmet Davutoglu stressed that it was highly important for the Syrian regime to end bomb attacks on its own people without any conditions.
"Most of the civilian casualties in Syria get caused by artillery shells, and attacks made by tanks and war jets," Davutoglu noted.
"We do hope that the Syrian regime would listen to the call of the international community and suspend attacks during the Feast of Sacrifice," Davutoglu underlined.
"At the same time, we expect the Syrian opposition to abide by the cease-fire," Davutoglu indicated.
Davutoglu replied to questions of journalists after signing a protocol on behalf of his ministry with the Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Sahin in Ankara.
"During the joint UN and Arab League's special envoy on Syria Lakhdar Brahimi's visit to Istanbul, Brahimi, the Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil El Arabi and I discussed the issue of a Syrian cease-fire during the upcoming Feast of Sacrifice," Davutoglu noted.
"In principle, Turkey, the UN and the Arab League agreed to begin an initiative that would lead to a cease-fire in Syria," Davutoglu underlined.
-"We are in agreement with Iran on cease-fire"-
Reminding Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent meeting with the Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad, Davutoglu said that Turkey was in agreement with Iran on the cease-fire.
"Iran supported Turkey's proposal for a cease-fire in Syria," Davutoglu indicated.
"Now, the step to be taken by the Syrian regime on the issue carries importance. The situation would get clear when Mr. Brahimi would visit Syria. In any case, there will be a meeting between Nabil El Arabi and Brahimi on Friday afternoon. We will be in touch with them. I am making a call on the issue from Ankara. We agreed with Mr. Arabi to make such a call on Friday," Davutoglu noted.
"We thought that the call for a cease-fire in Syria before the Friday's prayers would carry importance for the Syrian people," Davutoglu stressed.
"On behalf of the government of the Republic of Turkey, I am calling on all sides in Syria to make a cease-fire during the upcoming Feast of Sacrifice and if possible for a longer duration," Davutoglu stated.
Calling on the international community, Davutoglu said that Turkey made an official demand for steps to be taken for a cease-fire in Syria.
"During the Feast of Sacrifice, Turkey's assistance of food and medicines to Syria would increase. We will try to share the pain of our brethren in Syria," Davutoglu also said.
