Türkiye has always backed a political solution to the Syrian conflict, the Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday, Ednews reports citing Yeni Safak.
"The (Syrian) regime does not believe in a political solution, it believes in a military solution. A permanent solution is a political solution. We've been saying it from the beginning," Cavusoglu said at a joint news conference with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics in the capital Ankara.
Türkiye believes that reconciliation is essential for lasting peace in Syria, Cavusoglu said, adding that Ankara strongly supports Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Cavusoglu said it is not the first time that the regime and the opposition in Syria came together. "We have made a very important contribution to this. Why? Because the opposition trusts us. We have never let the opposition down. We say that this reconciliation is essential for lasting peace and stability in Syria."
About a recent attempt to burn the Turkish flag in northern Syria, Cavusoglu said: "We know who the perpetrators are. The hand of those who reach out to our flag will also be broken. The Syrians themselves have already made the necessary explanations, including the interim government. They also know these provocateurs."
Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced that two people were arrested following the incident.
Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.
UN estimates show that more than 8 million Syrians have either been internally displaced or become refugees in other countries since 2011.
Regarding the PKK terrorist group, Cavusoglu said: "There is a terrorist organization in Syria that also threatens us: PKK/PYD/YPG. (They are) same terrorist organization. These terrorists and the remnants of Daesh and other radical terrorist organizations must be completely cleared from this country."
This is important for Türkiye's safety and Syria's stability, he added.
