Erdoğan left the hall while Assad was speaking: He explained the reason with these words

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a conversation with journalists on his plane while returning from his visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

When asked by journalists on the plane, "Your presence in the family photo with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arab League Extraordinary Summit has become the most talked-about topic in our country since yesterday. Did you have any contact with the Syrian side on the sidelines of the summit? What is the latest situation in the normalization process with Syria?", President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded as follows:

I did not have the opportunity to listen to Bashar al-Assad's speech. I left for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I am still hopeful about Assad. I still have hope that we can come together and hopefully put Syria-Turkey relations on the right track. Because we need to eliminate the terrorist structures between Syria and Turkey. There is a foundation for a just and lasting peace in Syria. The steps to be taken to ensure this are clear. We have extended our hand to the Syrian side regarding normalization. We believe that this normalization will open the door to peace and tranquility in Syrian territory. It is not us who threaten Syria's territorial integrity. It is terrorists, primarily the terrorist organization PKK/PYD/YPG, that threaten Syria's territorial integrity. Syrians who have scattered to many countries are also not threatening Syria's territorial integrity. Assad must realize this, take steps to initiate a new climate in his country, and take ownership of his country. The Israeli threat right next door is not a fairy tale. It should not be forgotten that the fire in the surrounding area will spread rapidly in unstable lands.

HE HAD LEFT THE HALL WHILE ASSAD WAS SPEAKING

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) - Arab League Extraordinary Joint Summit, where Israel's ongoing attacks on Palestinian territories and Lebanon and a ceasefire were to be discussed, was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

During the family photo session, President Erdoğan and Syrian President Assad appeared in the same frame for the first time in years.

When it was Assad's turn to speak at the joint summit, Erdoğan left the hall.

News Source: 12punto