Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Turkey will not hesitate to respond to any hostile stance, attack, or threat from Syria.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN SAYING:
"We will not hesitate to do what is necessary and respond, in the most firm way, to any hostile stance, attack, or threat against us with our existing strength, and the strength and inspiration we get from our history."
His remarks came after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his country was in a state of war.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN SAYING:
"We will not refrain from teaching a lesson to the state of gangs that lost its legitimacy in the eye of its people, imposing state terror to its people, and trying to test Turkey's greatness."
Tensions mounted between Turkey and Syria after the downing of a Turkish military aircraft by Syrian air defenses last week, which gave a new international dimension to the worsening conflict in Syria.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
