Arinc laments international inaction

Speaking to press members after the meeting of Council of Ministers in Ankara, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday that the latest situation in Syria required urgent response. "If there will be a punishment, sanction or intervention against the Assad regime and the chemical weapon users, it seems the US will do this," Arinc said, adding that Turkey has been making efforts in every moment of vigilance on the developments in Egypt and Syria that directly related to the country. "An urgent response for the sake of humanity is needed to punish the Syrian regime for such a murder," said Arinc. Stating that both Turkey and US President Barack Obama knew who carried out the chemical attack with which purpose, Arinc said, "If there will be a punishment, sanction or intervention against the Assad regime and the chemical weapon users, it seems the US will do this." Arinc also stressed the importance of September 9 for the final decision over a possible military intervention in Syria, saying, "I think that Obama will be able to pass the decision of intervention with the support of the Congress despite all the negatives votes." Arinc noted that any military action must be strong enough to push the regime to the brink of collapse, citing possibilities that limited strikes would embolden Assad's assertiveness in following the US action. Arinc also lamented international inaction as the carnage in Syria claimed more than 100,000 lives, with 5 million residents internally displaced and 2 million refugees in neighboring countries.