ISTANBUL — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Turkey for talks with Turkish officials as well as Syrian opposition figures on how to undermine the Syrian regime and lay the groundwork for a democratic transition.

Clinton also plans to meet Syrian refugees in Istanbul during her visit Saturday as the U.S. and allies boost humanitarian relief for civilians who have fled the civil war in Syria. At least 51,000 Syrians are sheltering in neighboring Turkey, and many more have sought refuge in Jordan and Lebanon.

Clinton's Istanbul agenda includes talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey is a fierce critic of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and hosts Syrian activists working to overthrow him.

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