Erdogan condemns US 'impertinence' on Syrian crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday condemned US “impertinence” on the Syrian crisis, Palestinian newspaper Al-Resalah reported.

During a meeting with Turkish businessmen, Erdogan said: “I want you to know that we are against impertinence, recklessness and endless demands.” The remarks came days after he met with US Vice President Joe Biden in Ankara.

Erdogan said that his country would not surrender to US “pressure” for military intervention alongside the Kurdish forces.

The Turkish president stressed his opposition to the American request for the US-led coalition to use the Incirlik Air Base, saying he considered the alliance’s attacks “unreliable”. He said the key to solving the Syrian crisis is the ouster of President Bashar Al-Assad.

“It is impossible to solve our problems with the advice of arrogant ideologies,” he said, adding that the US’ sole interest in the region is oil.

Biden visited Turkey on a three-day trip starting on Monday. The visit ended without any agreement being reached regarding the Syrian issue.