Russia, Iran and Turkey agree priority in Syria is not regime change

[FarCenter]

Russia, Iran and Turkey agree that the priority in Syria is fighting "terrorism" and not the removal of Bashar al-Assad, Russian Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov told reporters after a tripartite summit on Tuesday in Moscow.

Lavrov welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the Russian capital for talks on the Syrian conflict as the evacuation of the last rebel-held enclave in Aleppo continued.

"Right now the evacuation is wrapping up," Lavrov said at a joint press conference. "We hope that this is a question of one or a maximum of two days."

The three countries agreed to guarantee that Syria peace talks would go forward and backed the expansion of a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

"Iran, Russia and Turkey are ready to assist in preparing the agreement in the making between the Syrian government and the opposition and to become its guarantor," Lavrov said, citing a joint statement.

http://www.france24.com/en/20161220-russia-iran-turkey-syria-talks-priority-terrorism-not-assad-regime-change

[David__77]

1. I hope they really agree on deprioritizing regime change.

I think that the stabilization of the existing/old state will help with anti-Islamic State, anti-Nusra/JFS operations.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Oppose Assad equals Terrorist

Glad we're sitting this one out. At least until Jan. 20.