Erdogan says Syria’s Assad days as president are numberedNovember 21, 2011 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Monday, November 21, that his days as leader are numbered and he cannot remain in power indefinitely through military force. "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?" Erdogan said. He was referring to an interview with Assad published in London's Sunday Times in which the embattled leader vowed to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention. Erdogan denounced the use of military force "against those in Syria who demand a decent life." "We never and never consider humane" the killing of Syrian people with tanks and cannons, Erdogan said, AFP reported. 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |