Turkey's ruling party under fire for anti-Syria stance

Serena Shim, Press TV, Istanbul

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Turkeyβs ruling AK Party led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come under fire for its anti-Syrian stance. Major opposition parties have slammed Erdogan not only for aiding the militants, but also for the lax border patrol that recently resulted in dozens of deaths in the Turkish border town of Reyhanli. In other developments, the Turkish President Abdullah Gul has praised the European Union for lifting an arms embargo on the foreign-backed militants fighting the Syrian government.

People of the region must be careful of a sectarian war that could spread throughout the region -- these comments came from Turkish President Abdullah Gul while he was meeting with his Tunisian counterpart. Gul was referring to the Syrian crisis which has claimed more than 70,000 lives and has created turbulence in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey.

Although Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned the region against a full-fledged sectarian war, many believe him and his ruling AK party are the ones fueling the sectarian flame. Ankara is accused of serving the interests of Israel and the U.S, by giving the utmost facilitation to the Al Qaeda-linked militants currently fighting the Syrian government forces.

Abdullah Gulβs comments however have come under scrutiny by the countryβs main opposition parties. CHP MP Hassan Akgol says the EUβs decision was contradictory.

Meanwhile Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad Davoudoglu is attending talks being held in Istanbul between the foreign-backed opposition known as the Syrian National Council. There are also representatives from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The council has so far not been able to make a decision on reshuffling of its chief or the US -Russia backed Geneva 2 talks. Analysts believe there are growing divisions inside the council as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are engaged in a power struggle.