By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is exploring a safe-zone and a peace corridor in Syria, which will contribute to the world and regional peace, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman said on Tuesday.
Addressing a news conference, the Spokesman Omer Celik said it was improper to ask Turkey to withdraw its forces from the Middle East region, when all other countries remain there.
Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others displaced, according to UN officials.
The ruling party spokesperson further said that ideological linkages of Texas and New Zealand attackers must be taken into account and exposed. He said Islamophobia was threatening all religions.
Last March, terrorist Brenton Tarrant attacked two mosques in the city of Christchurch, during Friday prayers, killing 51 people and wounding 49 others.
Celik also clarified that there was no plan for an early election. “Turkey is determined to carry out its needs in foreign policy, and will continue the reform process in domestic politics,” he said.