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Turkey says Russia delaying transition in Syria

15 October 2015 20:22 (UTC +04:00)

Russia began air operations in Syria on Sept. 30. The Kremlin claims the airstrikes are aimed at supporting the forces of Russia’s ally, President Bashar al-Assad, against Daesh but NATO has accused Russia of targeting groups opposed to Assad.

"What Russia is doing will not bring a benefit apart from delaying the possibility of getting Syria out of this chaos," said Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu on Thursday.

Sinirlioglu's remarks came in a joint press conference following a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Adil al-Jubeir in capital Ankara.

"Russia is in the midst of a huge mistake," said Sinirlioglu, pointing that the Syrian opposition wanted Syrian people to live in democracy and in line with humanitarian honor.

"Turkey will continue to support the Syrian opposition's legal demands till the end, because finally the one who is right will win," The Turkish minister said.

He said Turkey's priority was to protect territorial unity of Syria as well as Iraq and to contribute to regional stability.

Sinirlioglu also dismissed the notion that the Bashar al-Assad regime remain in power in Syria, saying: "If there are those who think Syria will reach stability [with Assad], they are in a dream."