Turkey refutes accusation of supporting terrorists in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday dismissed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's criticism that Ankara supports terrorist groups. Al-Assad's accusations are groundless and incompatible with reality, Davutoglu said in an interview with Turkey's local Halk TV. The foreign minister also said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and himself had held several talks with al- Assad to persuade him to carry out reform, but "unfortunately he chose the path of oppressing his own people instead of cooperating with the government of Turkey." On Friday, al-Assad warned during a joint interview with Halk TV and daily Yurt that Turkey would pay heavy price for supporting rebels. "In the near future, these terrorists will have an impact on Turkey. Turkey will pay heavy price for its contribution," he said. The interview, in which Al-Assad particularly expressed harsh criticism against Erdogan, accusing him of "lying" and "supporting terrorists," came short after the Turkish Parliament extended a mandate for another year that would allow the country to send troops to Syria if necessary. Turkey, once an ally of Damascus but now a leading voice against it, has purportedly provided Syrian rebel leaders with sanctuary.