International efforts must immediately end bloodshed in Syria, says Turkey's Permanent Representative at UN Apakan

UNITED NATIONS (A.A) - February 14, 2012 - Turkey's Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, said Monday that international efforts must focus on ending the bloodshed in Syria and help the Syrians enter a peaceful and democratic transitional process within the legitimate demands and wishes of the Syrian people. Addressing the UN General Assembly in a meeting on Syria, Ambassador Apakan said that Turkey was deeply saddened by the ongoing violence in Syria and the increasing number of civilian deaths and casualties. The international community must speak as a single voice on the situation of human rights in Syria, Apakan noted. Turkey welcomes with appreciation the Arab League's efforts to end the Syrian crisis. We welcome with pleasure a call made to establish a "Group of Syria's Friends", Apakan underlined. There is a risk for a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis in Syria. The international community and humanitarian assistance bodies must act so that the humanitarian crisis does not get worse in Syria. During this process, Turkey will continue to be on the side of the Syrian people, Apakan also said.