Assad's departure needed for Syrian transition, says PM Davutoğlu

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Wednesday a transition was needed in Syria which guaranteed the departure of President Bashar al-Assad, adding there was no change in Turkey's position that his government had lost legitimacy.

He was responding to questions from reporters after two senior government officials reportedly said on Tuesday that Ankara was ready to accept a political transition in which Assad remains in symbolic power for six months before leaving office.

Reuters reported on Monday that a senior Turkish government official had said (speaking on condition of anonymity): "Work on a plan for Assad's departure is underway ... (Assad) can stay for six months and we accept that because there will be a guarantee of his departure."

"We have moved forward on the issue to a certain degree with the United States and our other allies. There is not an exact consensus on when the six month period would begin, but we think it won't be too long," he added.

Assad flew to Moscow on Tuesday evening to personally thank President Vladimir Putin for military support after Russia launched air strikes three weeks ago, his first foreign trip since the outbreak of the crisis in 2011.

"Russia has already openly displayed its support with its intervention," Davutoğlu said, when asked about Assad's Moscow trip.

"What can I say. If only he would stay longer in Moscow so the Syrian people can be at ease, or if only he could stay there permanently and a real transition period could begin."

Turkey has been insisting that no lasting peace can be achieved in Syria without his removal from power.

The Kremlin kept Assad's visit quiet until Wednesday morning, broadcasting a meeting between the two men and releasing a transcript of an exchange they had. It did not say whether Assad was still in Moscow or had returned home.