Turkey, Russia, Iran must take more responsibility for Syria peace: Erdogan

The immediate withdrawal of American troops is necessary for establishing peace in Syria, says President Rouhani

ANKARA: Turkey, Russia and Iran need to take more responsibility to establish peace in Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, ahead of three-way talks with his Russian and Iranian counterparts at a summit in Ankara.

Erdogan, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Iran's Hassan Rouhani are meeting in Ankara on Monday to try to secure a lasting truce in northwest Syria, following attacks by Syrian government forces that risk deepening regional turmoil and pushing a new wave of migrants towards Turkey.

Erdogan hosts Putin, Rouhani for Syria summit

Speaking before the trio were to meet, Erdogan said the three leaders would discuss the latest developments in northwest Syria's Idlib region, as well as east of the Euphrates River in the country's northeast, and the issue of migration.

However, the Iranian president said that diplomacy, not a military approach, was the solution to end the crisis in Syria after a meeting his Turkish and Russian counterparts to discuss securing a lasting truce in the country.

Six civilians killed in northwest Syria despite truce

"We need to pave the ground for a return of security to Syria ... diplomacy and not confrontation can secure peace in Syria ... The immediate withdrawal of American troops is necessary for establishing peace in Syria," said Rouhani.

Putin and Rouhani have backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the rebels. Erdogan, along with the United States, European and Arab allies, has supported different rebel factions in the conflict.