Turkey never assists al-Qaida-linked rebels in Syria: FM

Turkey will not help al-Qaida-linked Syrian rebels launch attacks against the Syrian regime, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Tuesday.

"Turkey has never allowed al-Qaida-linked groups to cross its borders," Davutoglu said at a news conference held in Ankara, adding that Turkey always fights against terrorism in the most determined way.

Last Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned that Turkey would pay heavy price for supporting terrorist groups.

"In the near future, these terrorists will have an impact on Turkey. Turkey will pay heavy price for its contribution," he said.

In recent months, some al-Qaida affiliated rebel groups in Syria have reportedly seized areas bordering Turkey. The intensified violence and smuggling along the Turkish-Syrian border rose worries that the unrest would spill over into Turkey.