National security council convenes

The National Security Council (MGK) convened yesterday in Ankara to discuss the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey and the issue of a growing number of Syrians crossing into Turkey every day. The three-hour meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Abdullah Gul and also attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel at the Presidential Palace. A press statement which was released following the monthly meeting of the council said, "It has been underlined that the fight against terrorism will continue with sensitivity and determination within the confines of the rule of law." The statement said it had discussed security concerns regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria and that nearly 80,000 Syrians had taken shelter after fleeing violence in their country. "The strong determination to eliminate all threats and risks directed to our national security from the ongoing crisis in Syria has been reiterated," the statement added.