Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not rule out that Ankara may request NATO to protect it from Syrian forces violating the borders, RIA Novosti reports.
According to article 5 of the NATO, the organization is to aid its allies in case of aggression. It was introduced after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Erdogan reminded that April 12 is the deadline for realization of Kofi Annan’s cease-fire plan. The Turkish PM made the statement on his visit to China.
The prime minister said that Syrian forces were shooting refugees running towards the Turkish border on April 9. Two Turks and two Syrians were wounded.
Erdogan said that the Friends of Syria Group should be more persistent in convincing the UN Security Council to act. Istanbul hosted the Friends of Syria Conference on April 1.
Turkey provides shelter for over 25,000 Syrian refugees.
The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for over a year. The UN says over 9,000 people died. Syrian authorities say that over 2,500 law enforcers fighting with well-armed militants and 3,200 civilians died.
