ISTANBUL, December 8. /TASS/. The Turkish authorities are unaware of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s whereabouts, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, adding that he may be outside the country’s territory.
"I cannot give any comments on that. We do not know where he is. He is probably outside Syria’s territory," the minister said in Doha where he participated in a forum. The event was broadcast by the TRT Haber TV channel.
Ankara has had no contacts with Syrian President Bashar Assad despite the Turkish leadership’s urges for a dialogue, Fidan said.
"No, we have had no meetings with him, no contacts with Assad," he said when asked whether Assad’s administration had responded to Ankara’s proposals to discuss the situation and whether any contacts took place over the past days.
"Turkey together with neighboring countries will continue working with the new administration [in Damascus] using all means it has to reconstruct Syria and solve its issues," the minister added.
Turkey expects the people of the neighboring Syria to determine their future and it also attaches great importance to the country’s territorial integrity, Fidan said.
"Syria entered a new stage this morning. The Syrian people will again and independently determine the future of their country. Today we have the hope. It is about the international community’s turn to support the Syrian people. Turkey attaches great importance to national unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria," he said in Doha where he participated in a forum. The event was broadcast by the TRT Haber TV channel.
On November 27, militants started a large-scale offensive on positions of the government’s forces in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. By late December 7, the opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad captured several large cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Deraa, and Homs. Early on Sunday the militants entered Damascus, after which the units of the Syrian army left the city. Head of the Syrian government Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali expressed readiness to transfer power in the republic in a peaceful way.
Fidan has said that Ankara appreciates the constructive approach of Russia and Iran on issues of settlement in Syria.
"Yesterday was an important day for Syria’s future. The countries of the Astana format, including Turkey, Russia, Iran, gathered together to discuss the recent developments. We appreciate the constructive approaches of Russia and Iran. The UN special representative for Syria was also with us. He also contributed much. Later we had contacts with Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan. We also thank those friendly countries for their constructive approaches. We are holding consultations with Americans. We will continue cooperation with regional and international entities on the Syrian issue," he said at a press conference in Doha broadcast by the Turkish television.