Turkey Should Support Assad for Region's Benefit - Ex-Deputy PM to Sputnik

Strengthening the Syrian government would benefit Turkey and the entire region, as it is the only way to settle the crisis, Abdullatif Sener, former Turkish deputy prime minister, told Sputnik Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Sener said that the state of affairs in Syria leaves no other option "but to strengthen the power of government in the country" as any action contrary to this, such as those, the West is taking, are only focused on prolonging the civil war in Syria.

"It is essential for peace to come to Syria. It is essential that they [terrorists] leave the occupied Syrian territory, that the government gain sovereignty over the territory of the entire country. Only then peace and trust will become possible for the entire region, including Turkey. Turkey's national interests must be linked to the strengthening of the sovereignty of the Syrian government," Sener told Sputnik Turkey.

Earlier in November, Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan said that the Turkish armed forces' military operation in Syria was designed to put an end to the rule of President Assad.

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