Syrian minister assails Egyptian and Turkish leaders

By: David D. Kirkpatrick, NY Times, September 3, 2012 Syria's top government spokesman declared Monday that the refugees fleeing its borders were welcome back "at any time," mocked the leaders of Egypt and Turkey for their condemnations and called the armed opposition unfit for negotiations. The spokesman - Omran al-Zoubi, the minister of information - held an unusual televised news conference that appeared intended to rebut international criticism of Syria, including from the two leaders, over the swelling refugee crisis on its borders and the mounting death toll at home. He spoke after the end of the deadliest week and the deadliest month in the 18-month uprising.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/world/middleea...

Syria Middle East and North Africa Egypt Turkey Omran al-Zoubi refugees Mohamed Morsi Bashar al-Assad Europe