Erdogan: Operation on chemical facilities sends message to Assad

In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said the US-led operation "has eased humanity's conscience in the face of" the suspected chemical attack.

Ankara said chemical weapons attacks that indiscriminately target civilians "constitute crimes against humanity" and should not go unpunished.

More than 40 people were killed in a suspected chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime in the town of Douma, near the Syrian capital of Damascus, on April 7.

"The conscience of the worldwide community is in no doubt about that".

Speaking at the sixth ordinary congress of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in Istanbul, Yildirim said: "We see this [U.S. -led airstrikes] as a positive step but more needs to be done for lasting peace".

Erdogan highlighted the importance of working together with France and Russian Federation to resolve Syrian crisis and importance of not escalating tensions in Syria, the sources added.

"Does your humanity come to your mind only when chemical weapons are used? We urge the worldwide community to unite and prevent future chemical attacks".

Turkey is a vocal critic of Assad's regime in Damascus and backed rebels fighting for his ouster.

Turkey on Saturday welcomed the airstrikes launched by the U.S., Britain and France on Syria as an "appropriate reaction" to an alleged chemical attack.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for de-escalation over Syria in a phone call with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday in which the two leaders discussed the joint American, British and French air strikes targeting the Assad regime in Syria.