US state dept: "The border between Turkey and Syria should stay open"

The Turkish-Syrian border, which has recently witnessed thousands of Syrian refugees pouring into Turkey fleeing violence, needs to stay open, urged the US State Department on Monday. The US is very pleased with the superb humanitarian work that the Turkish government is doing in harboring Syrian refugees, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters. Asked about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks on Syrian-Turkish border clashes, Nuland said Clinton spoke in response to reports that the Syrian government had moved heavy artillery, including tanks, up to the border. She said Clinton's message was designed as a warning to maintain an open border, maintain peace and security on the border, and avoid clashes, adding that despite concerns the US is pleased to see that the border still remains largely open.