NBC Exclusive: Ann Curry Speaks with Turkish PM Recep Tayyip

In an exclusive interview that took place this afternoon in Istanbul, Ann Curry, NBC News' National and International Correspondent and Anchor at Large, sat down with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who asserts that Syria's President Bashar Hafez al-Assad has used chemical weapons and that Assad crossed President Obama's red line a long time ago.

Below is a partial transcript from the interview.
MANDATORY CREDIT: NBC NEWS

Ann Curry:
Has Syrian president Assad used chemical weapons?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
It is clear that the regime has used chemical weapons and missiles. They used about 200 missiles, according to our intelligence. And it can be even more but not less.

Ann Curry:
What evidence do you have?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Well, so far-- missiles-- I mean-- you know, the missiles, the Toula (PH) missiles-- I mean, the-- remaining parts-- we have these remainders of these missiles that are pictures. And-- there are intelligence reports. And when the time comes, of course-- well, now, the United Nations should follow this very closely. United Nations Security Council should-- take up this issue very quickly. We are informing them. And we are sharing our intelligence.

Ann Curry:
So you're saying that your own investigative services, your own intelligence has determined that there has been chemical weapons used by the Assad government? And you're confirming this now? Can you tell us what kind of weapons have been used, how dangerous these weapons have been to civilian populations?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Well, first of all, these are missiles. And as you know, there are different sizes missiles. And then there are deaths caused by these missiles. And there are burns, you know, serious burns and chemical reactions. And there are patients who are brought to our hospitals who were wounded by these chemical weapons that-- missiles.

Ann Curry:
So you're saying you have documented civilians and, I suppose, Syrian rebels who have chemical burns as a result of weapons used by the Assad government?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Well, I don't call them-- rebels. I call them opposition. They are-- they are dissidents. And-- of course-- among the people who come to our countries-- country, there are many people who are-- who have injuries. And they are brought to our hospitals around the border. And-- the ones who are injured and-- you can see who is affected by chemical missiles by their burns. The way they-- their injuries happened, you can understand that.

Ann Curry:
So has President Assad crossed President Obama's red line?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Long time ago.

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Ann Curry:
You've mentioned several times the use of chemical weapons. Have you been able to confirm the use of sarin gas by the Assad government?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
No, we don't have such a finding yet.

Ann Curry:
What do you make of reports that the Syrian opposition fighters themselves, and these are credible reports, are the source of chemical weapons?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Well, there is no way I can believe in this now. First of all, are-- how are they going to obtain this? And who will give this to them? I mean, but if it exists, we are against this-- because-- again, these chemical weapons will hit human beings. We are against-- whoever holds the weapons.