UN Secretary-General says fight against extremists in Syria needs 'political solution'

Antonio Guterres is in Istanbul for meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Antonio Guterres gives a press conference during the EU-Balkans mini European Summit (Getty)

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has said the fight against extremists in Syria needs a political solution.

Antonio Guterres also said any solution in the battle against terrorists in the region will need the support of the Syrian people.

The comments were made in Istanbul, where Mr Guterres is having meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his office said in a statement.

Mr Guterres said he was “grateful” that a peace conference for Syria was held in support of negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition.

The conference was endorsed by Turkey, Iran and Russia and took place in Kazakhstan.

A Syrian opposition official said both rebels and political groups were preparing to appoint a 20-member delegation to United Nations-brokered talks with the government planned for later in February in Geneva.

Mr Guterres is currently touring Turkey, five Middle East countries and Germany on his first major trip since taking the helm of the United Nations.

The former Prime Minister of Portugal took over from Ban Ki-moon and has pledged to make 2017 a year for peace.

Agencies contributed to this report