Separately, he called a meeting with the leaders of the country’s main opposition parties for Sunday.

“Turkey will present its final stance after the incident has been fully brought to light and decisively take the necessary steps,” Erdogan’s office said.

Turkish newspapers were less restrained.

“They (the Syrians) will pay the price,” said Vatan, while Hurriyet daily said: “He (Assad) is playing with fire.”

Turkish media at first reported Erdogan on Friday as saying Syria had apologized, but the prime minister later said he could not confirm receiving such an apology.

Neither side gave any details of the joint naval search or of any communication between the two sides.

The operation was not without its ironies. Less than 50 km (30 miles) away in Turkey’s southeastern Hatay province, authorities give refuge to Free Syrian Army rebels who cross daily to attack Syrian government forces. The territory also shelters over 30,000 refugees.

Turkey denies suggestions it is supplying weapons to rebels or that it is allowing third party weapons to travel across Turkish territory into rebel hands.

However, an Arab diplomat in Jeddah said on Saturday Saudi Arabia and Qatar were paying salaries to Syrian rebels, with Turkish involvement.

“The payment has been going on for months and the agreement was made on April 2 by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with logistical organization from Turkey where some Free Syrian Army factions are based,” he said, asking not to be named.