Military action will be fruitless without political strategy: President Gül

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Abdullah Gül and his wife Hayrünnisa Gül host the Victory Day reception at the Çankaya Palaca, Aug. 30. AA photo

President Abdullah Gül has said that any military action targeting Syria would be fruitless without the development of a political strategy, stressing the importance of diplomacy with Russia and Iran.

"I don't believe any military intervention will bring results without the adoption of a political strategy," Gül told reporters at the Victory Day reception he hosted at the presidential palace on Aug. 30.

"The solution will be through politics and diplomacy. It should be aimed at forcing politics and diplomacy and opening its door. Russia and Iran should be engaged one way or another," he added.

Gül also said that Turkey would not stay outside of the developments in Syria. 

"There is the possibility of long-term chaos and uncertainty in Syria. Turkey cannot stay indifferent to developments in Syria. We cannot stay outside of it, because it is us who most want an end to the chaos in the region, as well as the prevention of a situation that could lead to conflicts getting out of control," Gül was quoted as saying by private broadcaster NTV.

Shortly before Gül's remarks, the United States had made public an intelligence report stating that at least 1,429 Syrian citizens, including 426 children, were killed in the chemical attack in the outskirts of Damascus on Aug. 21.

Secretary of State John Kerry made the case for military action, saying that the U.S. was determined to act after the chemical attack. 

President Barack Obama said no final decision had yet been taken, and stressed that any action would be "limited."

For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said a "limited action" would not satisfy Turkey and called for a wider Kosovo-like intervention, speaking at the same Victory Day event as Gül.