Russia's Putin says Iran, Turkey back proposed Syrian peoples' congress

SOCHI, Russia – The leaders of Iran and Turkey on Wednesday supported the convocation of a Syrian peoples' congress as one of the first steps to establish inclusive dialogue in the war-ravaged country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

Speaking after meeting his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, Putin said the three leaders had instructed their diplomats, security and defense bodies to work on the composition and date of the congress.

Syria's leadership is committed to the peace process, constitutional reform and free elections, Putin said after the trilateral meeting held in the southern Russian city of Sochi. The three presidents agreed to step up efforts to finish off "terrorist" groups in Syria, he said.