Syrian President Assad says he will not meet Turkish President Erdogan

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad said Monday he would meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan only if the two countries could focus on the core issues of Ankara’s support for “terrorism” and the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory.

“The problem is not the meeting, but its content,” Assad told reporters in Damascus in a video released by the presidency.

Turkey severed ties with Syria in 2011 after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, during which it supported rebels seeking to overthrow Assad. During the Syrian Civil War, Assad labeled any opposition to his rule as “terrorists,” although many rebel forces now backed by Turkey are fighting the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda.

Ankara also established a “safe zone” in northern Syria, where Turkish troops are now stationed, preventing Assad and Russia from launching an invasion of the last liberated province of Idlib, although Damascus continues to bomb civilians and civilian infrastructure in the territory.

Erdogan had said earlier in July that he would invite Assad “at any time” for possible negotiations to restore relations.

Turkey, home to millions of Syrians who have sought refuge from Assad’s devastating war, has faced a wave of anti-Syrian riots and Syrians inside the country report widespread and increasing discrimination and violence.

“What is the purpose of this meeting? Could it be the end of the causes of the problem, which are support for terrorism and withdrawal from Syrian territories?… This is the heart of the problem,” the Syrian dictator said.

“If there was no discussion about the heart (of the problem), what would such a meeting mean?”

Assad added that he would respond positively to any initiative aimed at improving bilateral relations, but that the foundations for such discussions must first be established.

(Reuters)