Turkish FM lashes out at Lavrov over Daesh claims

VIENNA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that if Moscow had any evidence that showed Turkey helping Daesh, he would be ready to resign.

In Austria's capital Vienna for an International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting on Tuesday, Cavusoglu told Lavrov that he disagreed with the claims that Turkey turned a blind eye to the terrorist organization Daesh, according to witnesses of the exchange who do not want to be identified.

"You are a serious diplomat, and one of the most experienced diplomat among us. You should not rely upon such frivolous claims," Cavusoglu said to Lavrov during the meeting, which was shown live in a separate room with other diplomats.

"I am ready to resign if you have any evidence that Turkey helps Daesh, but if you cannot prove your claims, I invite you to Antalya [Cavusoglu's hometown] as a guest for the rest of your life," he added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also condemned the claims that Turkey supported Daesh terrorist organization.

"The portrayal of Turkey as a country that helps Daesh is excuse me if this will sound harsh -- despicable," Erdogan said Wednesday.

Moscow has regularly claimed that Ankara had provided help to Daesh, namely in the form of oil purchases from the terrorist group.

A total 24 representatives, from 20 countries and four international organizations, attended the meeting in Vienna to seek a solution to the five-year Syrian civil war.