BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The unremitting surge of violence in Syria has triggered a new flurry of diplomatic actions and counteractions over the 17-month-old conflict.
In a letter sent to the UN Security Council on Monday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry accused Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey of rendering financial support and arms supplies to Syria's armed insurgent groups.
The ministry said the "armed terrorist groups," supported with money and arms from the three countries, have committed heinous crimes against innocent civilians in Aleppo and Damascus.
It demanded these countries halt funding and arming the opposition so as to pave the way for a political process and national dialogue to put an end to the deadly turmoil.
Saudi Arabia is circulating a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly that requires a cessation of violence, a political transition and a secure hold of chemical weapons in Syria.
Meanwhile, Turkey on Monday sent more troops, tanks and other military equipment to its border with Syria, due to growing concerns about the security on its southern frontier, according to the Turkish semi-official Anatolia news agency.
Still, Turkey is not expected to get involved in a war with Syria, particularly after a recent warning by Iran, Syria's main ally, that it would stand alongside Syria in any attack it might be exposed to in line with their joint defense accord.
"As with the past, under any circumstances the Iranian nation and government will remain on the side of the Syrian government," Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday, when he met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Tehran.
Facing internal and external plights, the Syrian government showed unwavering resolve in the past week in its military operations to overrun some rebel-held areas in northern province Aleppo.