Turkish PM says country had right to down Russian fighter jet

BEIRUT – Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has defended Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian fighter jet at the border with Syria, saying Turkey has the right “to take all kinds of measures” against border violations according to international laws.

Davutoglu said Tuesday Turkey will not hesitate to take all steps to protect the country’s security, calling it Turkey’s “national duty.” He stressed that the action did not amount to an aggression against any foreign territory.

Davutoglu also called on the international community to work toward “extinguishing the fire that is burning in Syria.”

Turkey said it shot down the Russian plane after it violated Turkish airspace and ignored repeated warnings.