Turkish president: World can't let Syrian crisis last 10 more years

NEW YORK, USA - SEPTEMBER 21: International community cannot let Syrian crisis continue for another 10 years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. In his address at 76th General Assembly, Erdogan said one decade has gone by in the humanitarian drama in Syria before the eyes of the whole world. "We need to display a stronger will to find a political solution to the problem, based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, and in a way that will meet the expectations of the Syrian people," said the president. The long-standing crisis has caused the death of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions others since 2011. Erdogan said Turkey has not only host nearly 4 million Syrians but also been on the grounds combating terror groups who he said "have drowned the region in blood and tears." Besides fighting Daesh/ISIS, The Turkish military's presence on the ground stopped massacres and ethnic cleansing activities committed by the PKK terrorist organization's extensions -- YPG/PKK -- in Syria. "As a result of our efforts, and at the expense of martyrs, we were able to ensure the voluntary return of 462,000 Syrians to the areas we provided safety for. "In a similar way, thanks to our presence in Idlib, we saved the lives of millions of people and prevented them from being displaced," he added. "I would like to reiterate before you that making any distinction between terrorist organizations in the region and using them as subcontractors is unacceptable," he added. (Footage by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)