Turkish FM Davutoğlu, Kerry discuss chemical weapon allegations in Syria

ANKARA

Kerry told Davutoğlu that the recent developments in Syria were worrying, adding that he would address the issue in detail during his Russia visit. DHA photo

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, late on May 6, for consultations on the Syria conflict ahead of his arrival in the Russian capital today for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to gain Russia’s support on Syria.

The two had earlier spoken on May 4, during which they shared concerns as to the possibility that chemical weapons had been used in Syria. Both parties agreed that the U.N. and other international actors should be involved in investigating the allegations. Ankara is particularly worried about the massacre in the Syrian province of Banias, Davutoğlu told his American counterpart, stressing the necessity for the international community to take efficient steps to stop the killings in Syria.

Kerry told Davutoğlu that the recent developments in Syria were worrying, adding that he would address the issue in detail during his Russia visit.

The independent international Commission of Inquiry has yet to reach any conclusions as to whether any side in the Syrian war had used chemical weapons, it said on May 6, playing down a suggestion from one of the team that rebel forces had done so.

Investigator Carla Del Ponte caught U.N. officials by surprise on May 5 when she said the commission had gathered testimony from casualties and medical staff indicating that rebel forces had used the banned nerve agent sarin. A coordination meeting was also held in Ankara today led by Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay, at which the situation of Syrian refugees being sheltered at the camps was discussed.