Turkish Deputy PM says Syria committing atrocity in Hama

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Arinc Bulent said on Wednesday that an attack by Syrian forces on their own citizens in the city of Hama was an "atrocity" and a government that sanctioned such brutality could not be called a friend.

Bulent's criticism of President Bashar al Assad's response to the pro-democracy demonstrations that erupted in March was the strongest yet by a Turkish leader, reflecting growing frustration with the government in Damascus. (Reuters)