Turkey halts strategic cooperation and financial dealing with Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on Wednesday that Turkey will suspend all financial dealings with Syria and freeze Syrian government assets as part of sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government.    

Davutoglu also told a news conference that 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.      

Turkey's move follows in the wake of sanctions announced by the Arab league. Davutoglu also said a cooperation agreement with Syria was being suspended until there was a new government in place.      

"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," Davutoglu said, adding Assad's government had come "to the end of the road."    

Turkey’s FM also confirmed that “the assets of any businessman or official dealing with the Syrian regime will be frozen,” explaining that “these sanctions are against the regime, not the people.”    

Davutoglu said that the Syrian issue became “alarming” after the regime has proven inability to settle the crisis in the country, adding that the only solution lies in escalating international and regional pressure against Syria.     

Davutoglu warned of a sectarian war in the region due to the Syrian crisis, adding that “Syria has squandered every chance offered by Arabs.”

Reuters / LBCI