Obama consults Erdogan on Syrian transition as Aleppo battle continues
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 July 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Obama consults Erdogan on Syrian transition as Aleppo battle continues, 31 July 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5022286836.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 31, 2012
U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have spoken by telephone "to coordinate efforts to accelerate a political transition in Syria."
A White House statement says the transition "would include the departure" of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and would "be responsive to the legitimate demands of the Syrian people."
The telephone conversation between the leaders on July 30 came as the United Nations said tens of thousands of people are fleeing a worsening battle in Syria's most populous city, Aleppo.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said a convoy transporting the head of the UN monitoring mission in Syria, Babacar Gaye, was attacked on July 29 by Syrian army tanks.
In London, Syria's most senior diplomat defected on July in protest against what he called the "violent and oppressive" acts of Assad's regime.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website