Turkey and Gulf states 'alarm bell' over Syria

Turkey and the Gulf States are seeking to protect their "vital interests" in the region, Syrian opposition negotiator, Bassma Kodmani, has told BBC HARDtalk.

She said: "I think there is a temptation in Washington to leave the situation to Russia, but what is happening is the countries in the region consider that their vital interests are under threat and they are seeing the United States is not willing to mobilise to defend their interests...

"These countries are saying to the United States and to the world our vital interests are in danger, the risks for this region are huge, considerable. They are sounding the alarm bell", she said.

She hoped it would not reach a point where Turkish troops were on the ground inside Syria.

Ms Kodmani is a member of the umbrella group representing opposition factions, the High Negotiations Committee.

Watch the full interview on Tuesday 16 February 2016 on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel. It is also available on BBC iPlayer (UK only)