Erdogan Warns Assad ‘Your Days are Numbered’
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Syrian President Bashar Assad Monday that his days as leader were numbered and he cannot remain in power indefinitely through military force.
After reports that two buses carrying Turkish pilgrims came under attack in Syria, Erdogan said his one-time ally's defiant refusal to end a bloody crackdown on protesters had increased the prospects of foreign intervention.
"You can remain in power with tanks and cannons only up to a certain point. The day will come when you'll also leave," Erdogan told a meeting in Istanbul.
"Someone shows up and says 'I'll fight and die. Against whom will you fight? Will you fight against your Muslim brothers you rule in your country?" said Erdogan.
The prime minister was referring to an interview with Assad published in London's Sunday Times in which the Syrian leader vowed to fight and die for if faced with foreign intervention.
"Why do you open the way for an outside interference?" asked Erdogan. "Why don't you handle your own problem within yourself, without opening the way for any outside interference?"
Erdogan also denounced the use of military force "against those in Syria who demand a decent life".
Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has become increasingly outspoken in its criticism of Assad's regime as the death toll from the increasingly bloody crackdown on protests has risen to more than 3,500.
Ankara last week announced a halt to joint oil exploration with Syria and has threatened to cut electricity exports there.
Source: Agence France Presse
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