Turkey again calls on Syria to halt violent crackdown

Responding to Syria's weekend crackdown on the city of Hama, killing some 80 civilians, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suspended his visit to the country, while Turkey said it was "deeply disappointed" and "saddened" and urged Damascus to end the operation. "Along with the rest of the Muslim world, Turkey is deeply disappointed and saddened at these developments on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, when it was expecting work to create an atmosphere of peace and quiet," the Foreign Ministry said yesterday, adding that the crackdown in no way helped to promote public safety. The ministry said that since the nationwide uprising began four months ago, Hama residents have refrained from violence and been trying to carry out dialogue with Damascus. "Turkey reiterates its call on the Syrian government to stop operations and use political means, dialogue, and peaceful initiatives for a solution," it added.