Syrian opposition seeks representation in Turkey: diplomat

ANKARA- Hürriyet Daily News

This file photo shows members of Syrian opposition living in Turkey waving their national and Turkish flags as they stage a protest against the Syrian regime in Ankara. AFP photos.

Syria's opposition has asked Turkey for permission to open a representative office in the country, a Turkish diplomat said Monday.

The Syrian National Council, the country's largest and most representative opposition grouping, put the request to Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during talks on Sunday, the diplomat said.

"Discussions and work will take place towards this end," said the diplomat, without specifying whether Ankara had approved the request.

Davutoglu, who met previously with the council on October 18, said Syria's future "belonged to the Syrians and would be built by them," added the diplomat, who declined to be named.

Turkey, a close ally of Syria before unrest swept the country earlier this year, has strongly condemned government repression of opposition protests, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he has cut ties with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey on Sunday called on the international community to act together in dealing with Syria following violent demonstrations against its diplomatic mission in Syria, from which Ankara has pulled out its diplomats and non-essential personnel.

Following a decision by the Arab League to suspend Syria on Saturday over its crackdown on the opposition, mobs loyal to Assad went on the rampage in Damascus, attacking foreign missions.