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Foreign Secretary condemns Syria's action against Turkish military plane

Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the shooting down of a Turkish military plane underlined how far beyond acceptable behaviour the Syrian regime has put itself and condemned it wholeheartedly.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Responding to the shooting down of a Turkish military plane, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“I am gravely concerned by the Syrian regime’s action in shooting down a Turkish military plane on 22 June. When I spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu on 23 June, he told me that the plane had been shot down without warning.

“This outrageous act underlines how far beyond accepted behaviour the Syrian regime has put itself and I condemn it wholeheartedly. My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends of the missing Turkish pilots. I have made clear to Foreign Minister Davutoglu the UK’s strong support for the Turkish government at this difficult time.

“The Assad regime should not make the mistake of believing that it can act with impunity. It will be held to account for its behaviour. The UK stands ready to pursue robust action at the United Nations Security Council.

?”This deplorable incident underlines the urgent need to find a solution to the current crisis in Syria in order to bring an end to the violence and to achieve a genuine political transition. We support the Joint UN and Arab League Special Envoy’s continuing efforts on this.”

Published 24 June 2012