Obama, Erdogan talk Syria on the telephone

President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, and both expressed their deep concerns about the violence in Syria. "The leaders agreed that the Syrian government must end the use of violence now and promptly enact meaningful reforms that respect the democratic aspirations of Syrian citizens," the White House said in a statement. Turkey says it is closely watching the unrest in Syria as it urges against the use of excessive force on pro-reform demonstrators. The Foreign Ministry yesterday said Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Omer Onhon is monitoring the situation. Onhon is expected to travel to Turkey tomorrow to brief the National Security Council, which brings together civilian and military leaders.