Religious Discrimination Behind Extremism in Syria - AKP Deputy Chair

Religious discrimination is behind the growth of extremism in Syria, the deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) told RIA Novosti.

ANKARA (Sputnik) – Since the start of the civil war in 2011, Syrian government forces have been fighting against so-called moderate opposition forces and fundamentalist groups like the Islamic State (ISIL) and Nusra Front.

"The truth is that the root of extremism in Syria is a policy based on religious discrimination," Mevlut Cavusoglu said ahead of Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections.

Cavusoglu said Ankara hopes for peace and stability in Syria.

"Therefore, the protection of its territorial integrity, its secular institutions, the rejection of the policy of religious discrimination – all of this is extremely important," the former Turkish foreign minister and founding member of AKP stressed.

Turkey and a number of Western states have long been calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad's resignation. Russia, in turn, recognizes Assad as the legitimate authority in the country, stressing that the Syrian people are free to choose their leadership without outside intervention.

Turkey, run by a caretaker government since attempts to form a coalition government after the June general election failed, holds snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, November 1.