Doors not to closeSyrian refugees: Erdogan

ANKARA: Turkey will not close its doors to refugees fleeing the repression in Syria, Prime Minister Recap Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, he expressed his sadness about unrest across the border.

Erdogan, who has become increasingly critical of the President Bashar al-Assad's regime, also urged authorities in Damascus to demonstrate more tolerance towards its civilians.

A group of around 120 Syrian refugees crossed over into Turkey late Tuesday, most of them from the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughur where there are fears of a backlash after officials said 120 policemen had been killed there.

Erdogan, speaking to reporters, said that there were no plans to stem any flow of refugees crossing into southern Turkey.

"At this point, it is out of question for us to close the doors," Erdogan was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

"The developments in Syria are really sad, we are following them with concern," he added, reiterating a call for Assad to implement more democratic reforms.

"We wish Syria to be more tolerant to civilians and (further) the reform steps he has already taken, as soon as possible in a more convincing way."

The arrivals on Tuesday followed in the footsteps of another group of around 40 refugees crossed the Turkey-Syria border at the weekend, one of whom died from gunshot wounds on his way to a Turkish hospital.

Around 20 others needed treatment after suffering injuries at the hands of the security forces during anti-government demonstrations in northwest Syria.

Back in April, Turkey also offered shelter to more than 200 villagers who crossed over by breaking through a barbed wire fence which lines the 800-kilometre (500-mile) long border.

The influx of refugees has prompted fears among Turkish officials that the country may not be able to cope and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told the NTV news channel Wednesday that a wave of refugees was "absolutely not desirable."

"We have taken all the necessary precautions at the border," he said, adding that the situation was currently "under control."

Erdogan, who has traditionally enjoyed good relations with Assad, has piled up pressure on the Syrian leader in recent weeks to initiate a democratic transition while stopping short of calling for his departure.

Syrian opposition groups gathered in Turkey's resort region of Antalya last week for talks which culminated in a fresh demand for Assad's resignation.

Turkey earlier this month welcomed Syria's announcement of an amnesty for political prisoners but stressed it should be followed by "comprehensive reform."

In April, Ankara sent envoys to Damascus to press Assad to take steps for democratisation, offering expertise for political and economic overhaul.

More than 1,100 civilians have been killed in Syria and at least 10,000 arrested in a brutal crackdown on almost daily street demonstrations that have simmered since March 15, rights organisations say.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011