Erdogan urges distance from all terror groups in Syria

By Cansu Dikme, Sibel Ugurlu and Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's president on Wednesday said Syria's territorial integrity depends on keeping all terror groups at bay.

A tripartite summit on Syria was held in the capital Ankara with the participation of Turkish, Russian and Iranian presidents.

In a joint news conference following the summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was fulfilling its responsibilities on de-escalation zones in Syria with necessary care.

Speaking about the summit, Erdogan said the leaders discussed steps that will be taken in the coming days to resolve the Syrian crisis.

"The main aim of tripartite summit is to rebuild a Syria where peace prevails," he added.

The first tripartite summit was held in the Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi on Nov. 22, 2017 to discuss progress made in the Astana peace talks and changes in de-escalation zones across Syria.

Erdogan said: "Turkey will not stop until all regions under PYD/PKK control, including Manbij, are secured... We will never allow either Syria or our region to be attacked by a few terrorist groups."

He expressed Turkey's readiness to take action in the northern Syrian city of Tal Rifaat along with Russia and Iran to build a peaceful environment for its residents.

Erdogan called on the international community to support a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said: "We want everybody to recognize the unity of Syria."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "The joint decision of Turkey, Russia and Iran is to ensure territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria."