Turkey raises Syria military option, Russia urges caution

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/uk-syria-powers-idUKTRE7AS0RF20111129

(Reuters) - Turkey on Tuesday raised the option of military intervention in neighbouring Syria while Russia rejected even an arms embargo as Damascus tries to stifle anti-government protests.

Highlighting divisions among foreign powers on how to deal with the bloodshed in Syria, Turkey's foreign minister said Ankara was ready for "any scenario." Russia's foreign minister for his part said it was time to stop issuing ultimatums to Damascus.

Syria is facing increased economic sanctions and condemnation from many governments over what the United Nations calls "gross human rights violations" but President Bashar al-Assad shows no sign of buckling under pressure to end his military crackdown on protesters calling for his overthrow.

Western powers have long ruled out any Libyan-style military intervention in Syria to halt the crackdown, in which more than 3,500 people are believed have been killed in eight months.

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1. Turkey ready for 'scenario' in Syria: Turkish foreign minister

Turkey does not want to consider a military option for intervention in neighboring Syria as Damascus cracks down on popular protest, but it is ready for any scenario, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said today.

Davutoğlu also said the international community may decide a buffer zone is needed in Syria if hundreds of thousands of people try to flee the violence there.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkey-ready-for-scenario-in-syria-turkish-foreign-minister-2011-11-29