TURKEY: President Abdullah Gul urges Assad to transform Syria into multi-party system

Record ID: 737830

  • Title: TURKEY: President Abdullah Gul urges Assad to transform Syria into multi-party system
  • Date: 21st June 2011
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JUNE 20, 2011) (REUTERS) CAR CARRYING TURKISH PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL ARRIVING AT MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS GUL GETTING OUT AND WALKING TOWARDS ENTRANCE
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey, Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6LN9MZAWCOBBZSQNURZ20E41C
  • Story Text: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Monday (June 20) a speech on reforms by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was "not enough".
    He also said Assad should transform Syria into a multi-party system.
    "He wants to do something but he needs to say more. Everyhing has changed now. Countries are transforming into a multi-party system, everything should be organised according to Syrian people's will. If he sets a precedent for this and vows to lead a transition process, I believe he can stop the protests and take control of the ongoing crisis," Gul said.
    Assad on Monday pledged to introduce reforms within months to address a wave of protests against his rule, but blamed saboteurs for the unrest and warned that no deal could be reached with gunmen.
    Assad said a national dialogue would start soon to review new legislation including laws on parliamentary elections, the media, and allowing political parties other than his Baath Party, as well as look at possible changes to the constitution.
    Activists and analysts dismissed his promises, saying they failed to engage the demands of protesters who for three months have defied a fierce military crackdown in rallying for greater freedoms, posing the gravest challenge to his 11-year tenure.
    Syrian rights groups say at least 1,300 civilians have been killed and 10,000 people detained since March.
    Up to 11,000 Syrian refugees have already crossed into Turkey and Turkish officials say another 10,000 are sheltering close to the border just inside Syria in the olive groves and rich farmland around the town of Jisr al-Shughour.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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