Hopes for a peace deal in all of Syria

But Turkey says it will never agree to Assad remaining

Turkey and Russia have agreed a ceasefire throughout Syria, the Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday.

But Ankara would not give up its opposition to Bashar Al Assad staying on as leader, Mr Cavusoglu said.

“There are two texts ready on a solution in Syria,” he said. “One is about a political resolution and the other is about a ceasefire. They can be implemented any time.

“But the whole world knows it is not possible for there to be a political transition with Assad, and we also all know that it is impossible for these people to unite around Assad.”

The Kremlin said it could not comment, and rebels said no official truce had been agreed.

“The armed revolutionary factions have not received any official proposal for a ceasefire in Syria,” said Labib Nahhas of the powerful Ahrar Al Sham rebel group. Russia, Iran and Turkey said last week they were ready to broker a peace deal after adopting a declaration in Moscow setting out principles that any agreement should adhere to. The next talks are set for Astana, the Kazakh capital.

Under an outline deal between the three countries, Syria could be divided into informal zones of regional power and Mr Al Assad would remain president for at least a few years.

A senior Turkish government official said yesterday that future discussions would probably settle Mr Al Assad’s role.

“We put importance on the establishment of a transitional government and that it would be one that meets the demands of the Syrian people,” the official said. “Whether or not Mr Al Assad will take place in the government will be discussed in the coming period.”

Mr Al Assad will not be attending the talks in Astana, which are likely to be held at undersecretary level “at most”, the official said.

A senior rebel official said Moscow wanted a key rebel stronghold near the capital to be excluded from the ceasefire, a demand unacceptable to the rebels. “Discussions are ongoing, with Turkish sponsorship, but the Russian enemy is trying to exclude the Eastern Ghouta [suburb] of Damascus from any attempt at a comprehensive ceasefire in Syria that would be accepted by the revolution’s factions,” said Munir Al Sayal of Ahrar Al Sham.

“It’s premature to talk about chances of success. The Russian enemy still has no clear position and repeats the regime’s demands.”

Mr Al Sayal said it would be futile to hold talks unless the ultimate objective was to end Mr Al Assad’s rule.

Turkey remained conspicuously quiet as Mr Al Assad’s forces, backed by Russia, took control last week of Aleppo in the biggest defeat so far for the rebels in the civil war.