Rouhani, Putin and Erdogan met in the Russian city of Sochi last November [Mikhail Metzel/Reuters]
AFP: Russia to host Putin-Erdogan-Rouhani summit on Syria
Russia said Friday it will host a three-way summit with Turkey and Iran on the Syrian conflict early next year, after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced scepticism about an announced withdrawal of US forces.
"It's our turn to host the summit... around the first week of the year. This will depend on the schedules of the presidents" of the three countries, deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov was cited as saying by Interfax news agency.
The last meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin, Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in Iran in September.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syrian army enters Kurdish-held town of Manbij. Syria military takes control of flash-point Kurdish-led town. Syria military takes control of key town as Erdoğan warns of 'psychological action'.
UAE reopens Syria embassy for first time in 6 years.
Iraqi lawmakers demand US withdraw its troops after Trump’s surprise visit.
Ex-military chief forms new political party in Israel.
Lebanon protests grow over economic crisis and political impasse.
Saudi 'not in crisis' over Khashoggi affair: new FM to AFP.
Massive haul of heroin seized from fishing boats in Arabian Sea during Australian Navy raids.
ASIA
Taliban seeks image makeover as Afghan peace talks gain momentum.
Germany worried at possible US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Rebels breach Myanmar ceasefire in army attack: Military.
Chinese reconnaissance plane flies over South Korea, Japan as geopolitical tensions grow.
Suspected Chinese fish poachers fled with Japanese inspectors still on boat.
Thousands in Mongolia brave freezing weather to protest graft.
Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces 'a reign of terror'.
Hacker leaks details of 1,000 North Korean defectors.
AFRICA
Sudan: 19 killed, over 200 injured in protests.
Burkina Faso: 10 police officers killed in ambush.
Boko Haram launches series of attacks in north-east Nigeria. Boko Haram attacks two military bases in northeast Nigeria. Extremists seize Nigerian town and key military base.
DRC: Opposition denounces Kinshasa polling stations closure. Election delays in DRC leads to protests.
DR Congo election: EU condemns expulsion of envoy Bart Ouvry.
Eritrea closes border crossings to Ethiopian travelers.
Andry Rajoelina to again become Madagascar's president.
Zimbabwe doctors' strike: patients bare the brunt of protests.
EUROPE
Bosnian prosecutors charge 13 with war crimes against Serbs.
Merkel, Macron urge Russia to release Ukrainian sailors.
Russia builds border fence between Crimea and Ukraine proper.
Russia and Britain to start returning diplomats in January: Russian embassy.
Amid recognition row, Kosovo hits Serbia with more customs tariffs.
Rescue boat with 300 migrants reaches Spain.
Archbishop says Pope ready to visit North Korea if Kim sends invitation.
Euro currency remains a work in progress on 20th birthday.
AMERICAS
Trump threatens to shut border 'entirely' unless Democrats fund wall.
GOP and Democrats trade blame for shutdown, no deal in sight.
Another, bigger migrant caravan is set to leave from Honduras next month.
US seeks close ties with Brazil’s new leader.
Brazil crackdown military intervention ends Monday.
Mexico investigates chopper crash that killed politicians, 3 others.
'Reality' bites: Cuba plans more austerity as finances worsen.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Islamists kill at least 10 in bid to capture northeast Nigerian lake town: residents.
Islamic State woman from Germany charged with war crimes after letting ‘slave’ girl, 5, die of thirst.
Taliban trains scores of ‘commandos’ at camp.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Oil prices steady near year-and-a-half lows after profit-taking.
Tesla names Oracle’s Ellison to board in SEC settlement.
2018: The year in business - from K-pop to soybeans.
