Thousands protest in Turkey over Syria strikes bill
Thousands of protesters have gathered in the streets of Turkey to demonstrate against a parliamentary memorandum allowing military operations against Syria if the government deems it necessary.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Don't remain silent! Shout! All people are brothers and sisters!" and held banners emblazoned with "Hands off Syria!" and "Get out of the Middle East".
Earlier in the Turkish capital Ankara, police in riot gear fired tear gas at protesters as they charged toward them trying to march towards parliament.
The protests came as Turkish soldiers moved to stand guard near crossings on the Syria-Turkey border following yesterday's shelling of Akcakale, which killed five civilians.
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said the bill authorising strikes against Syria was "not a declaration of war" but merely a "deterrent".
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