Davutoglu visits Syrians taking refuge in Hatay

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday reiterated that Turkey will not close its borders to Syrians fleeing violent clashes, stressing that the situation in Syria is no "ordinary foreign policy issue" for Ankara. Visiting tent camps recently set up for Syrian refugees in the border province of Hatay, Davutoglu said a further escalation of violence might force more Syrians to leave the country, a prospect that can only be avoided if Damascus meets the people's demands for reform. "I will discuss the latest developments in the region and in Syria with Turkish ambassadors stationed in the Middle East," he added, referring to a high-level meeting in Ankara postponed from yesterday to today, to allow for his Hatay visit.