Turkish FM meets Syrian general Tlass in Ankara | Diplomacy

Europe
UK Muslim body commemorates 20th anniversary
Secretary general calls anniversary a celebration of multiculturalism
Turkey
What's next after planned early elections in Turkey?
After parliament decides on election bill, it will be published in official gazette without being approved by president
Art & Culture
Turkish language taught in Malaysian school
Turkish language course introduced to curriculum in Kuala Lumpur school, a first in Malaysia
Science&Technology
Istanbul rolls out first self-driving electric vehicle
Public shuttle was displayed during international conference in Turkey
Islamophobia
Quebec mosque killer researched mass murderers online
Bissonnette feared Muslims would attack, kill his family
Asia-Pacific
In shadow of development, Lahore losing its heritage
New mega train project will damage the heritage of Lahore, experts fear
Art & Culture
China to become 'important' tourism partner for Turkey
Turkey's culture and tourism minister says around 250,000 Chinese tourists visited Turkey in 2017

Tlas has arrived in Ankara to have talks with Turkish officials as Syria's fragmented opposition are seeking ways in Qatar to agree on a roadmap for a transfer of power.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu received Syrian general Manaf Tlass who defected from Syrian army and joined the opponents.

Tlas, one of the most senior defectors from President Bashar al-Assad's rule, has arrived in Ankara to have talks with Turkish officials as Syria's fragmented opposition are seeking ways in Qatar to agree on a roadmap for a transfer of power.

Tlas, a former friend of Assad's who could play a role in any transition of power, said in an interview on Wednesday that he "did not leave Syria to lead the transitional period".

Davutoglu and Tlass met at Foreign Ministry residence in Ankara on Thursday.

Following the meeting, they attended a fast-breaking dinner (iftar).

The Turkish foreign ministry said it would not release any information on Thursday's meeting.

The general, a Sunni Muslim member of Assad's mostly Alawite inner circle and a senior officer in the Republican Guards, defected earlier this month.

Tlas earlier said that he will cooperate with every person who wants to rebuild Syria, “be it the National Council or the (opposition) Free Syria Army.

Assad is seeking to crush a 16-month-old revolt against his rule in which at least 17,000 people have been killed and which is now being fought out in the country's two main cities.

Legal Notice: Copyright, trade marks and other intellectual property rights in this website can not be reproduced without the prior permission.