TURKEY: U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton holds talks with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Friends of Syria meeting

Record ID: 280532

  • Title: TURKEY: U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton holds talks with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Friends of Syria meeting
  • Date: 2nd April 2012
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (APRIL 1, 2012) (REUTERS) SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER, CARL BILDT, BEING INTERVIEWED CAMERA CREWS FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER, CARL BILDT, SAYING: "I think the emphasis here has been very very clearly on solid support for Kofi Annan and the political efforts. The Kofi Annan efforts are now the only possibilities that we have of
  • Embargoed: 17th April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey, Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5QSXQ8EES310Q7ETDKU2SMRMP
  • Story Text: Syria's opposition has asked for financial aid from the international community, Syrian National Council member Haitham Al-Maleh, said on Sunday (April 1) after meeting with the Friends of Syria.
    "We asked for billions because 3 million Syrian people need help in the report of United Nations. So for that, the Arab League said they would pay 100 millions of dollars also Libya pledged the same number but this number is nothing" Al-Maleh said.
    Al-Maleh stressed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other members of Arab League might provide financial assistance as well as weaponry.
    "They will support the Free Syrian Army. I think Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Arab League will do it. " he said.
    Meanwhile, protests continued outside the venue where dozens of people demonstrated against the Assad regime.
    Western and Arab nations stepped up pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, mistrusting his acceptance of Kofi Annan's a plan to end a year of bloodshed.
    Swedish Foreign Minister Karl Bildt said the Annan mission could be the only chance to avoid a sectarian conflict in Syria.
    "The Kofi Annan efforts are now the only possibilities that we have of avoiding the country and the region descending into a sectarian civil war, that if it happens is going to be devastating for the country and devastating for the region." Bildt told reporters after meeting with Friends of Syria.
    Annan will brief the U.N. Security Council on Monday on his efforts to calm the conflict.
    His six-point plan demands that Assad order his military to cease fire, withdraw troops from cities and open daily windows for humanitarian aid, but does not require him to step down.
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