Syrians flee conflict seek refuge in Turkey

Turkey's prime minister has described Syria's crackdown on protesters as ``savagery'' and accused the country's president of taking the situation ``too lightly.'' Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has developed a friendship with Syrian President Bashar Assad, had previously refrained from openly criticizing the 11-week long crackdown, urging the Syrian leader to enact reforms.

The turnaround comes after some 2,500 Syrian refugees streamed into Turkey.

What we have heard from the Turkish authorities is they do have things in hand,” says Sybella Wilkes, Senior Communications Officer for UN Refugee agency UNHCR. She told Vatican Radio UNHCR is pleased Turkey is keeping its borders open to those fleeing the violence in Syria.

“It is an exemplary attitude and we are very grateful that Turkey has assured us, and indeed assured Syrians, if they need a place of safe refuge, Turkey is there to support them,” Wilkes said.

Listen to the full interview of Stefano Leszczynski with Sybella Wilkes: