TURKEY: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu unveils sanctions against the Assad government in Syria

Record ID: 280132

  • Title: TURKEY: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu unveils sanctions against the Assad government in Syria
  • Date: 1st December 2011
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (NOVEMBER 30, 2011) (REUTERS) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU, SAYING: "The Syrian government has lost its legitimacy - with each bullet fired at Syrian people and each minaret that has been bombed, widening a gap between the Syrian leadership an
  • Embargoed: 16th December 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey, Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVADUC9U9W2JEEOAMH68HPIRBAW2
  • Story Text: Turkey will suspend all financial dealings with Syria and freeze Syrian government assets as part of sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday (November 30).
    Davutoglu told a news conference the Syrian government had lost its legitimacy.
    "The Syrian government has lost its legitimacy - with each bullet fired at Syrian people and each minaret that has been bombed, widening a gap between the Syrian leadership and countries backing it like Turkey and Arab countries. The Syrian government has squandered every chance, come to the end of the road, and is preparing its own end."
    The set of sanctions against Syria included suspension of a cooperation agreement and suspension of all financial dealings with the Assad regime, freezing Syrian government assets until there was a new government in place.
    "One, until a legitimate government which is at peace with its people is in charge in Syria, the mechanism of the High Level of Strategic Cooperation has been suspended. Two, a travel ban will be imposed for some officials who are members of the Syrian administration and who have allegedly used violence against Syrian people by illegal means. Their assets in our country will be frozen. Similar measures will be taken for some businessmen who support the Assad regime."
    Davutoglu also said Turkey, once a close friend of Damascus, would block the delivery of all weapons and military equipment to Damascus as part of measures aimed at persuading Assad to end a violent crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.
    "Three, sales and delivery of all weapons and military supplies to Syria will be suspended. Four, delivery of weapons and military supplies from third countries to Syria through Turkish soil and airspace will be blocked in compliance with international laws. Five, all relations with Syria's central bank will be frozen. Five, all bank assets of the Syrian government in Turkey will be frozen."
    Turkey's move follows in the wake of sanctions announced by the Arab league.
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