Illegal militants groups prevail in Idlib: Syrian Foreign Minister

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday stated that despite the Russian-Turkish agreements to enforce a demilitarised zone (DMZ) in the Idlib province, the presence of illegal militant groups armed with heavy ordinance continues to remain in the area.

"Speaking of the agreement on Idlib, of the creation of a demilitarized zone 15-20 kilometers wide, until now, the terrorists are present there with their heavy weapons, which indicate the lack of desire by Turkey to fulfill its obligations," Sputnik quoted Muallem as saying while addressing a meeting with the joint delegation of the International Federation of Democratic Youth and the International Peace Council.

"Therefore, the Idlib province is still under control by the terrorists who are supported by Turkey and the West," the Syrian Foreign Minister added.

Muallem's remarks come in the wake of the October 27 summit on Syria, held in Istanbul, wherein Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country had the right to aid the Syrian government in eliminating the threat of terrorists in Idlib.

While Putin further hailed the creation of the DMZ in the Idlib region, he noted that it was more of a short-term step, adding that Turkey was carrying out its role to promote peace in Syria with the withdrawal of its military and weapons from the DMZ.