Turkey: Assad can be part of transition in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaks during a meeting with foreign media representatives in Istanbul, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. Yildirim says his country is willing to accept a role for Syrian President Bashar Assad during a transitional period in Syria. (Prime Minister Press Service via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says his country is willing to accept a role for Syrian President Bashar Assad during a transitional period in Syria.

However, Yildirim told foreign media representatives on Saturday that Assad has no place in Syria's future.

The prime minister also said that Turkey would aim to become more of a regional player with regard to Syria in the next six months.

On Syria's future, Yildirim said Turkey would not allow the country to be ethnically divided and favored a system in which all ethnic groups are represented.

Turkey is one of the main supporters of rebels fighting to overthrow Assad, and hosts more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees.

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