Annan’s efforts failing: Gül

ANKARA

International envoy Kofi Annan’s efforts are not enough to solve the Syrian crisis, Turkish President Abdullah Gül said yesterday, noting that only a new administration in Syria would help end the crisis.

“After killing its people this much, there is an administration in Syria which has lost its legitimacy,” Gül said during a joint press conference with his Gabonese counterpart, Ali Bongo Ondimba.

More civilians have been killed since a supposed cease-fire was declared as part of Annan’s plan in April, Gül said.

Since the cease-fire was officially declared, fierce clashes have been raging, cities have been subjected to bombings and many more civilians have been killed, he said.

The violence is causing an increase in the number of refugees from Syria, the president said, adding that there were more than 40,000 Syrians now in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Gül also said Turkey’s economic cooperation with African countries was not based on a unilateral gain but rather on a win-win principle.

“Turkey is one of the biggest strategic partners of Africa,” Ondimba said.