Ankara discusses influx of Syrians

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Intel Chief Fidan (2nd R) meets with several ministers over the influx. AA photo

Ankara discussed measures to respond to a massive influx in the number of Syrian refugees fleeing into Turkey and tighten security on the border as the number of Syrians crossing the border hit nearly 60,000.
Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan convened yesterday under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay to discuss recent developments in Syria.

Governors from provinces along the border of Syria and foreign ministry officials also participated in the meeting. Results of the meeting where then presented to the Cabinet in the afternoon.
The number of Syrians taking shelter in Turkey hit nearly 60,000, the Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said yesterday.

French FM due to Turkey

More than 4,000 people fleeing violence in Syria entered Turkey in the past three days, bringing the total number of Syrian refugees to 59,710, according to AFAD. At the end of July, some 44,000 Syrian refugees had been registered in Turkey. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will pay a visit to Turkey on Aug. 17 to discuss the Syrian crises. During his one-day visit Fabius will travel to the province of Kilis where Syrian refugees are sheltered, diplomatic sources said.

The French minister will later meet with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in Ankara. Before his visit to Turkey, Fabius will travel to Jordan and Lebanon to discuss recent incidents in Syria.