Turkey and Syria to rally efforts on Egypt unrest

Prime Minister Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar Assad agreed on Sunday to rally their efforts on the unrest in Egypt so as to spare the Egyptian people any more suffering in their struggle to realize their demands, and in the hope that security and stability will return to Egypt. Erdogan met with Assad in Aleppo following the groundbreaking ceremony for the friendship dam on the Orontes (Asi) River in Hatay the same day. A Prime Ministry Press Office statement said the two discussed recent regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Egypt. The statement added that Turkish-Syrian relations were also discussed, and that Assad and Erdogan expressed deep satisfaction with their solid cooperation in all areas. Both leaders stressed the importance of continuing work and coordination between the two countries through high-level transparent dialogue on various issues facing the region. Dialogue has focused on ensuring a secure environment to realize stability and enhance economic cooperation in the interests of the Syrian and Turkish peoples and their neighbors in the region. The statement added that Assad and Erdogan discussed the situation in Lebanon and agreed to work for the nation's stability, security and prosperity. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem also participated in the meeting.