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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.