Syria's Assad meets Erdogan as Turkey mediates for Mideast peace - Hürriyet

Recent developments in the Middle East are expected to be discussed at the meeting between Erdogan and Assad, who arrived Tuesday in Bodrum, where he plans to spend his vacation, and also meet with the Turkish prime minister.

Assad was welcomed by Erdogan at an airport in the beach resort town of Bodrum. After having a luncheon together, the two leaders held a meeting at the hotel, which would host the Syrian president during his vacation.

"Erdogan invited him (Assad) and they have issues to discuss, such as peace talks," a government source, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

The parties are negotiating over the fate of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau which Israel occupied in a 1967 war and which Syrian wants it to return.

Assad met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday and the two leaders had discussed the international crisis over Tehran's nuclear program.

Turkey had intensified its mediating efforts in the region. As with the indirect talks to resolve the Syria-Israel conflict, Turkey had been holding talks with Iran and Western countries over the nuclear row.

Ahmadinejad would also visit Turkey in August 14. However, Turkey's Vatan daily reported on Tuesday that U.S. President George W. Bush objected to Turkey's plans to hold talks with Ahmadinejad.

Western countries had proposed Iran a package of new incentives to stop uranium enrichment works. The West had said if Iran does not accept the offer, then it would face new sanctions.