Turkish FM meets with Syrian opposition leaders

Turkish FM meets with Syrian opposition leaders
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Update: 26 August 2022 01:09
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Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Syrian opposition figures as Turkey escalates diplomatic efforts to reconcile opposition with Assad administration

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu hosted Syrian opposition leaders in Ankara for talks as part of Turkey’s efforts to reconcile the opposition with the Syrian regime. 

Cavusoglu met with Salem al-Meslet, president of the National Coalition, Badr Jamous, head of the Negotiations Committee, and Abdulrahman Mustafa, prime minister of the provisional government, Daily Sabah reported

"We appreciate and support the opposition's contribution to the political process within the framework of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254," Cavusoglu said on Twitter.

Turkey’s Erdogan government has backed Syrian opposition groups from the get go in the 11-year civil war and pushed to topple the Assad government but after the Syrian regime -backed by Russia- managed to hold on to power, it softened its tone and began highlighting diplomacy.

Asked last week about potential talks with Damascus, Erdogan said “diplomacy between states can never be fully severed.” and “there is a need to take further steps with Syria."

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in December 2015 endorsed a road map to peace in Syria and called for an immediate ceasefire across Syria and the initiation of political negotiations in for a "unity government" within two years, followed by elections.