Turkish FM to meet Syrian opposition in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will meet members of the Syrian opposition in the Turkish capital of Ankara Sunday evening, one day after the attacks on Turkish diplomatic missions in Syria, the Turkish foreign ministry said. "We call on the Syrian government to immediately identify those who are responsible for the attacks and initiate legal proceedings. Turkey expects assurances from the Syrian government to increase security measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur again. Turkey is determined to monitor developments on this issue and it is ready to take any measure it sees necessary," the ministry said in a statement. The Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Syrian charge d' affaires in Ankara earlier Sunday, it said, adding: "These points were conveyed strongly and a diplomatic note was handed over." The foreign ministry also advised Turkish citizens to avoid travelling to Syria, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on its website. The move came one day after hundreds of Syrian pro-government demonstrators attacked the Turkish embassy and consulates in Syria. Hundreds of Syrian government supporters attacked the Turkish embassy in Damascus Saturday evening after the Arab League (AL) voted to suspend Syria's participation in its meetings and impose sanctions against the Syrian government for its alleged crackdown on protesters, Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia reported. The Turkish consulates in the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Latakia were also attacked Saturday. No diplomatic staff were hurt in the attacks, according to the report. In a separate statement on Sunday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Turkey had welcomed the AL's decision to suspend Syria's activities in the organization and impose sanctions on it. "This is a timely and a prudent decision that showcases the severity of the situation in Syria. No regime can win a battle it wages against its own people," the ministry said in a statement.