Tillerson, Turkish FM, discuss Assad’s future

ANKARA, Turkey – A Turkish official says the country’s foreign minister has held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, during which the future of Syrian President Bashar Assad was discussed.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry official said Mevlut Cavusoglu and Tillerson on Monday also talked about the fight against the Islamic State group.

The official, who cannot be named under government regulations, did not provide further details.

Their discussion comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to punish Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons by launching cruise missiles at a Syrian air base.

Turkey backed Trump’s decision but said pressure on the Assad administration should continue.

Ankara also insists there should be no role for Assad in Syria’s future.