Erdogan: We expressed our desire to meet Bashar al-Assad and are waiting for Damascus’ response

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his readiness to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, indicating that he is awaiting a response from Damascus, according to "Russia Today". Erdogan told reporters before heading to the United States, where he will participate in the United Nations General Assembly session: 'We said that we want to hold a meeting with Bashar al-Assad in order to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria, and now we are waiting for the appropriate response from Damascus.' He added: "We are ready for this. We want there to be solidarity and unity between our Islamic countries and their peoples, and I hope this will happen thanks to this meeting." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had stated that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had been assigned to organize a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which might be held in a third country. Erdogan said during a press conference in Washington on July 11: 'Two weeks ago, I invited Mr. Assad to hold a meeting in my cou ntry or in a third country... and our foreign minister has been assigned to work on this issue.' Source: National News Agency - Lebanon