Syria blames armed attack on Turkish pilgrims

Updated: 2011-11-24 10:01

(Xinhua)

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DAMASCUS - Syria's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday blamed the attack on Turkish pilgrims on armed terrorist groups, while the Turkish government warned its nationals not to return overland from Hajj pilgrimage via Syria.

On Monday, two Turks were wounded when a bus carrying a group of Turkish pilgrims came under attack in the restive province of Homs in central Syria.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Turkish foreign ministry warned its pilgrims not to travel overland through Syria and asked them to travel back home by air instead.

In a statement obtained by Xinhua, Syria's Foreign Ministry spokesman Gihad Makdisi denied any involvement of the Syria army in the attack and placed the blame on armed terrorist groups.

Makdisi expressed his regrets for the incident, pointing out that the area where the incident took place is known of being a stage to such incidents "that have touched the Syrians before foreigners."

Commenting on Turkish presidential advisor Arshad Hurmuzli's statement that considered the incident a message from Damascus to Turkey, Makdisi stressed that Syria's message to its neighbors is its keenness to the security and stability of neighboring countries.

He said that the specialized authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident, adding that necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the security of all visitors to Syria.

The Syrian-Turkish relation has hit a new low after the incident that followed an earlier attack by the Syrian pro- government demonstrators on Turkish diplomatic missions in the capital Damascus and two other cities on November 13.

Turkish Foreign Ministry evacuated the families of its diplomats and sent a diplomatic note to Syria one day after the attacks. It has also advised Turkish citizens to avoid travelling to the unrest-hit country.

Turkey last week suspended joint oil exploration plans in six wells in Syria.

The ongoing violence in Syria has prompted the international community to adopt tougher measures against Syria. The United Nations General Assembly Third Committee Tuesday adopted a resolution condemning Syria for human rights violations.

The non-binding resolution, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, was approved by a vote of 122-13 with 41 abstentions, including China and Russia.

It calls on Syrian authorities to implement an Arab League peace plan calling for the withdrawal of government tanks from the streets, the release of political prisoners, an end to attacks on civilians, and allowing Arab observers into the country.

Syria's UN envoy Bashar Ja'afari said the resolution would not benefit Syria and claimed it was a US-inspired political move.