Turkish president expresses regret over veto on Syria resolution

ANKARA (A.A) - February 6, 2012 - Turkey's President Abdullah Gul expressed regret Monday over Russia's and China's veto on a Security Council resolution on Syria. "We are deeply sorry over the voting at the United Nations. Everybody should realize that the Cold War is over. There is no place for governments that violate human rights and use military force against civilians," Gul told reporters in response to a question during a joint press appearance with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak in Ankara. Gul said casualties continued to rise in Syria over the past couple of weeks, "and we are very much concerned. Syria is headed to a point where there is no return. The best thing President [Bashar al] Assad can do for his country and for his people is to quit his policies and accept change." "We hope the Syrian president realizes that it is too late for everything and stops what he is doing," Gul said.