Erdogan and Zarif discuss Syria in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday (August 29) met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the capital Ankara, according to the Presidency’s official website.

The two leaders met for nearly an hour of talks at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters, DS reported.

Also present at the meeting was Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Cavusoglu said bilateral issues and Syria would be discussed in the meeting.

Later, he said in a tweet: "We discussed topics on our bilateral and regional agenda, including developments in Syria with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif of Iran."

Turkey and Iran, along with Russia, are guarantor countries of a cease-fire in Syria in the Astana peace process.

The meeting comes as the Assad regime prepares an assault against Syrian Idlib province, which has been designated as a de-escalation zone by the three guarantor countries.