Erdoğan says Assad declined request for talks on Syria

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his attempts to meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad were rebuffed, as fighting intensifies between opposition and government forces in the war-torn country.

"We made a call to Assad, saying, 'Come and let's determine the future of Syria together.' Unfortunately, we did not receive a positive response on this issue," Erdoğan told reporters on Dec. 6 after prayers in Istanbul's Üsküdar district.

He did not specify when the overture was made.

Erdoğan's comments came as anti-regime groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham advanced further into Hama province. Since Nov. 27, the opposition forces have seized key cities and were nearing Syria's Homs.

"Idlib, Hama, Homs and, of course, the target is Damascus. The opposition's advancement continues," Erdoğan said. "We hope this continues without any accidents or troubles."

The president also revealed Lebanon's request for a meeting amid ongoing clashes between Israel and armed groups in the region.

"Lebanon is in a very difficult situation. Everywhere has been destroyed. There are requests for help," he said. "We will continue our aid during a time when the world is silent."

Meanwhile, Erdoğan spoke with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the phone during a meeting of Türkiye's top security council on Dec. 5, discussing regional and global issues.

"The Syrian conflict has reached a new phase, managed with composure," Erdoğan told Guterres, as Türkiye's "greatest desire is for Syria to avoid further instability and civilian casualties," according to a readout issued by Türkiye's Communications Directorate following their talks.

"At this stage, the Syrian regime must urgently engage with its own people to work...