LONDON
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has condemned the Syrian attack on Turkey's south-eastern town of Akcakale which killed 5 Turkish citizens and injured 9 others when artillery shells fell on the town and said, "This was an outrageous act. We demand that the Syrian regime avoid any repetition of today's (Wednesday) incident on the border with Turkey."
Hague's statement regarding the Syrian artillery attack was published on Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website.
In the statement Hague stressed, "I condemn the violence from the Syrian regime which has led to the deaths of a number of Turkish citizens, including a mother and her children. This was an outrageous act. We demand that the Syrian regime avoid any repetition of today's (Wednesday) incident on the border with Turkey."
Hague pointed out, "Today's (Wednesday) events are a stark reminder of the deteriorating situation in Syria, the dangers it presents to the wider region, and the need for an urgent resolution of the United Nations Security Council."
Hague mentioned the phone talk he held with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuoglu late Wednesday night and said, "I have just spoken to the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. I expressed my deepest sympathies for the families and communities of those died and for those injured. Turkey is one of our closest allies and key partners in the region and we will continue to work closely together on the Syria crisis and remain in close touch over the coming days."
Furthermore, British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who is visiting Turkey for holding talks, underlined on Wednesday evening that he was saddened to learn that 5 Turkish citizens were killed Syrian artillery shells landed in the south-eastern town of Akcakale and Clegg offered his condolences to the families of those killed.
