Syrians Fleeing Into Turkey

The BBC reports:

Hundreds of Syrians are crossing the northern border into Turkey in an attempt to escape growing violence in their own country. Many say they are fleeing the town of Jisr al-Shughour ahead of an expected military assault after dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed there.

Residents who stayed in the town have set up road-blocks in an attempt to stop security forces from entering. Turkey said it would not close its doors to those seeking refuge. Speaking at a news conference in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was monitoring the situation, and called on Damascus to act with tolerance.

Britain and France are stepping up pressure for a UN Security Council vote condemning the Syrian government's suppression of months of unrest.