Erdogan, Putin to discuss Syria peace plan in Ankara

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week to discuss a plan to de-escalate fighting in Syria's Idlib province.

Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed last week to deploy hundreds of observers to the province, which is situated in Syria's north west.

Opposition-backer Turkey is charged with monitoring rebel areas of Syria, while pro-regime Russia and Iran were agreed as the guarantors for territories under the control of Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Idlib, which borders Turkey, is largely controlled by al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

"Idlib has been set as a de-escalation zone," Erdogan said at an event in New York, where world leaders are gathered to attend the UN General Assembly.

"Right now, outside the border there are guard towers and stations of the Russian Federation. And inside, Turkey has stations at protection points," Erdogan said, highlighting that Turkish forces are working with Syrian Free Army rebels. 

"This will continue until peace will be established over there," he added. 

According to Turkey's TRT broadcaster, the meeting between Erdogan and Putin will take place in Ankara on September 28.