Davutoglu downplays unconfirmed reports of tanks returning to Hama

Allegations of tanks returning to the Syrian city of Hama appear to be untrue, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday. The tanks had withdrawn after Davutoglu visited Damascus earlier this week and asked Syrian leaders to halt their violent crackdown. Asked to comment on allegations that following his visit Syria launched new military operations in some residential areas close to the Turkish border, Davutoglu said, "We got this information late on Wednesday. I immediately telephoned Omer Onhon, Turkey's Ambassador to Syria. I was also planning to call my (Syrian) counterpart if needed. We talked to the governor of Hama. He said there were no tanks or heavy weapons in Hama." Davutoglu said it was difficult to expect tensions to decline quickly after such great hostilities and losses. "We expect urgent measures to prevent the loss of lives and civilian losses, and to end operations, especially in Hama and Deyr'uz Zur," he said. Emphasizing the need to open Syrian cities to international news agencies, Davutoglu said it is difficult to assess the accuracy of news reports as long as these cities remain largely closed to journalists.