“Al-Assad is definitely a terrorist who has carried out state terrorism,” Erdogan said at a televised news conference with his Tunisian counterpart Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunisia’s capital Tunis.

“It is impossible to continue with al-Assad. How can we embrace the future with a Syrian president who has killed almost a million of his citizens?” he said.

His remarks at the joint news conference in Tunis came after a closed-door meeting with Essebsi.

“Would the people of Syria want to see such a person as leader? Because I am saying this absolutely clearly and openly that al-Assad is actually a terrorist involved in state terrorism,” Erdogan added.

According to Hurriyet daily Erdogan asserted that peace will not come to Syria with al-Assad as its president.

The Syrian president has yet to comment on the accusations, however, he has repeatedly denied allegations of targeting civilians, Sputnik said.

Despite Turkey being a mediator in the Syrian peace talks, which are also brokered by Russia and Iran, Assad has previously refused to consider Ankara as its partner or a guarantor state, accusing the country of supporting terrorism.

Reporter’s code: 50101