ANKARA/BEIRUT — Turkey will take retaliatory steps against Syria for the downing of one of its military jets, President Abdullah Gul said Saturday, even as he suggested that the aircraft may have violated Syrian airspace. It was not clear if Gul was suggesting military retaliation, increased sanctions against Syria or other possible steps, including demands for an apology, and his aide would not comment on his words. But Faruk Celik, Labor and Social Security Minister, said Turkey would retaliate “either in the diplomatic field or give other types of response.” “The incident is unacceptable,” he said. “Turkey cannot endure it in silence.” The downing of the aircraft, at a point close to the sea borders of both countries, provided a demonstration of Syria's formidable Russian-supplied air defenses; one of the many reasons for Western qualms about any military intervention to halt bloodshed in the country. In Damascus, in a bid to placate his opponents, embattled President Bashar Al-Assad issued a decree to form a new government, shaking up many cabinet posts but keeping the heads of the interior, defense and foreign ministries. The reappointment of Defense Minister Daoud Rajha will quash widespread rumors that he had been assassinated. – Agencies
