Syria FM expects no Turkey internvention

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has dismissed the possibility of a military intervention led by Turkey while also promising that the Arab republic would "resist" any invasion. In an interview yesterday with a group of reporters in Damascus, al-Muallem said Turkey was "suspicious" toward the Syrian government and that he blamed Ankara for being "a part of the plan" against Damascus. The Syrian government will "resist a military intervention," al-Muallem said following Feb. 26's constitutional referendum, adding that he did not believe such military action would come from Turkey. "Frankly speaking, I do not see this [military intervention from Turkey] happening. I believe there is some wisdom left in Turkey," he said, while also noting Turkey's stance. "[Before we can say anything], Turkey has suspicions. They are part of the plan against Syria," al-Muallem said. "We listen to good advice, but that doesn't mean you [can] put a timetable before us and we fulfill that. We fulfill [reform promises] according to the interest of the Syrian people." Al-Muallem urged Turkey not to take steps that might lose Syria in the end. "I don't know what Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu meant by saying ‘All options are on the table,' but what does the Turkish public have to gain from intervening in Syrian affairs?" he said. "My advice to Davutoglu is that he should think twice before losing Syria forever." The minister also said, "As long as this policy continues against Syria I do not see a future for relations [with Turkey]."