US not united on Syria withdrawal: Erdogan

By Ahmet Salih Alacaci

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s president said Friday the Trump administration did not appear to portray a united stance on its withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Syria.

In as televised interview, Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised a recent trilateral summit held in the Russian resort city of Sochi with the leaders of Russia and Iran, saying it was "very productive and useful."

He added that the next Sochi summit on the Syria would be held in Turkey.

In December, Trump made a surprise announcement that the U.S. would be withdrawing all troops from Syria, and said Daesh had been defeated in the country.

Since then, no troops have been withdrawn, however, last month the Pentagon confirmed additional troops were being sent to protect American forces and equipment as they prepare to leave.

On the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi mission in Istanbul, Erdogan emphasized the CIA had not yet 'thrown its weight' behind the issue, adding Washington should press for an investigation.

Erdogan emphasized that Turkey had not yet revealed all the documents it possessed on Khashoggi’s death and the Ankara was 'determined' to carry the issue to international courts.

Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last October. Riyadh initially denied any role in the killing but has since sought to blame his death on a botched rendition operation being carried out by rogue agents.