Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says his country is opposed to any political transition in Syria involving President Bashar al-Assad.
"Assad is the main responsible person for the Syria crisis. A transitional process is needed in Syria without Assad and those groups involved in crimes," Davutoglu told a news conference in New York on September 28, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.
Ankara has been Assad's most outspoken critic and had previously insisted that the Syrian president had to be removed.
But last week, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Assad could be part of a transitional period. He later said his comments did not represent a policy change.
Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News reported on September 28 that Davutoglu said Turkey would accept whatever political solution Syrians choose, but it could not include Assad.