Turkish PM warns of sectarian clashes in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed concern that Syria might split along sectarian lines as tensions continue to grow in Turkey's southern neighbor, Hurriyet reports.

"We have concerns that sectarian clashes might erupt in Syria that could split the country. We do not want to see such a thing," Erdoğan told reporters during a visit to the governor's office in the Black Sea province of Rize, Anatolia News Agency reported on Saturday.

Erdoğan said the last time he talked to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was nearly 10 days ago, adding however that the Turkish ambassador in Damascus was in continuous contact with the Syrian government.

"Syria is like a domestic issue for us because we have an 850-kilometer border as well as strong ties of kinship. I hope that Syria will overcome these dire times quickly," Erdoğan said, repeating previous statements he has made on the issue.