FM Davutoglu: Radicals harm the revolt in Syria

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticized radical Islamic groups operating in Syria, saying their brutal actions harm what he called the "revolution" in the neighbouring country. Davutoglu, in his remarks published on Thursday, also denied claims that Turkey is supporting these groups, which fight against President Bashar al-Assad's regime as well as the Syrian Kurds in areas near the Turkish border. Noting that radical groups are involved in actions such as the killing of Islamic clerics or kidnapping of civilians, Davutoglu said such steps undermine "justified demands" for political change in Syria. "I consider such actions a betrayal of the Syrian revolution," he told. "Therefore it is definitely not correct to present Turkey to be supporting radical groups," he added, noting, however, that Ankara's backing for the "legitimate Syrian opposition" continues. Davutoglu said Turkey expected the Syrian Kurds not to cooperate with the Syrian regime and join the Syrian opposition fighting to topple the Assad regime, not to establish any de facto entity without consulting with other Syrian groups first, and not to engage in activities that could constitute a threat for security of the Turkish borders. Davutoglu said Turkey would take measures to secure its borders, irrespective of where the threat to security comes from.