In an interview with the TRT Haber broadcaster, Kalin said that the deal was binding and that a change in the US Secretary of State would not change it even if it leads to a 1-2 week delay.

According to him, Ankara expects to clear Afrin of the Kurdish militants "very soon."

He, however, added Turkey has no intention to hand over the town to the Syrian government after the military operation ends.

After launching the operation, Ankara said that the military endeavor was likely to expand in the direction of the neighboring city of Manbij, where the US has around 2,000 of its military personnel deployed.

Later on, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu urged the US to withdraw from Manbij and called on Washington to prevent redeployment of the YPG from Manbij to Afrin.

US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel, however, said the US was not planning to withdraw forces from the city.

Reporter’s code: 50101