The third leg of the Friends of Syria Group meetings series was held in Paris on Friday with representatives from over 100 nations coming together in an effort to put an end to the bloodshed in Syria. The result from the meeting, the third in the series following meetings in Tunisia and Istanbul, is that Turkey, France, the U.S., Germany, England and the Arab League are requesting the United Nations Security Council release a ruling for a transitional government to be formed in Syria. The Friends of Syria Group also called for the application of the UN Chapter seven resolution, which approves penalization for nations that do not apply sanctions against Syria and if necessary the use of force. The declaration released following the meeting also requested Assad step down from power.
Representing Turkey at the meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu called on the international community to increase pressure on the Syrian administration and for an effective transitional government to take over in order to put a halt to the internal conflict in the nation. Expressing that the current Damascus administration has lost all legitimacy, Davutoğlu underlined the necessity to not waste any time any area when it comes to preparations for the post-Assad era.
A MESSAGE TO RUSSIA AND CHINA
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton requested the United Nations Security Council take action to realize the decisions made in Geneva. linton also demanded Russia and China end their support to the Syrian administration and stated that both nations hold great responsibility when it comes to the crisis deepening in Syria. Without attending the meeting, Russia was fast to respond to Clinton's criticism. Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Riabkov issued an immediate response clearly rejecting any allegations that Russia supports the current Assad regime.
The ‘innocent’ protest which began at the start of the month in Brazil, as it did as well in Turkey, has since transitioned into a point of interest for its dark demonstrations. Both nations, as they suffer from simultaneous protests, stand out for having bright and promising economies.
Responding to the European Parliament resolution condemning the police crackdown on protests sparked by redevelopment plans for Gezi Park, Prime Minister Erdoğan stated “They are confused. They have no fidelity,” and added that European politicians and institutions instantly laid down their masks in order to provoke events.
One man’s passive defiance by way of standing in place in Taksim Square and looking straight at the Atatürk Culture Center, quickly turned into a social media phenomenon last night.
Infuriating Germans, Green Party Co-Chair Roth was subjected to pepper spray in Istanbul. Commenting on the incident, German nationals say, “It turns out Erdoğan was right in saying that there are foreign forces triggering Taksim, and Roth’s presence is now proof.” Other comments include, “If Abdullah Gül showed up at Occupy Frankfurt of if Erdoğan was involved in the Stuttgart 21 demonstrations, the ground would shake!”
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has been working continuously since last night on clearing and landscaping Taksim Square and Gezi Park.
Explaining that the Gezi Park protests were planned six months ago, EU Minister Bağış states, “These protests are an attempt to trigger a move which will end in regime change in Turkey.” Bağış also discussed Prime Minister Erdoğan’s style with the Wall Street Journal.
They came by land, they came by sea, and they came to hear their Prime Minister speak. Yesterday’s Kazlıçeşme rally in support of Prime Minister Erdoğan saw over a million supporters come out to the square with AK Party and Turkish flags in hand, giving true sentiment to the figures of Erdoğan’s support rate.
Istanbul Governor Mutlu is calling on protesters to refrain from responding to calls on social media to gather in Taksim because he says; peace has been established once again in Istanbul.
Nearly a million Istanbul residents flocked out to see Prime Minister Erdoğan speak at an AK Party rally in Kazlıçeşme on Sunday. Istanbul residents want the vandalism of protesters destroying and setting the city on fire to come to an end as soon as possible. Meanwhile, they also support Erdoğan’s referendum proposal.
On the first presidential visit to Ardahan in 18 years, President Gül had the chance to comment on the European Parliament’s resolution vote on Thursday by stating, “When reacting they need to have enough information to realize what is what.”
The number one suspect accused of planning and staging the twin bombings in the Hatay town of Reyhanlı, which killed 52 people, Nasır Eskiocak as well as three other perpetrators were arrested on Friday.
Istanbul Governor Mutlu held discussions with protesters which started late Thursday night and went on into the early morning hours of Friday. There was no lapse in respect during the talks that were both peaceful and spirited. The main questioned asked was who ordered the use of disproportionate force.
After deliberations between Prime Minister Erdoğan and other government officials with a delegation representing the Gezi Park protesters which went on into the morning hours of Friday, a decision was reached to respect judicial rulings and citizens’ opinions. Bringing the Gezi Park protests to a close with a series of artistic events is also now on the agenda.
Foreign Minister Davutoğlu says the European Parliament resolution adopted on Thursday is unacceptable and should they notify Turkey of the resolution, then Turkey will instantly return the gesture.