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After hours of talks, the four leaders agreed a Syrian-led ‘constitutional committee’ should be formed as soon as possible with the aim of bringing the seven-year conflict to an end. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said steps should be taken to set the stage for free elections in Syria which would be open to all Syrians - including those who have fled the country. The group also agreed on the need for a lasting ceasefire as well as creating conditions in the war-torn country to allow refugees to flee the fighting. Turkey’s President Erdogan called on other nations to increase support for refugees as he declared the “people of Syria will determine the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad”.

The conflict, which has killed more than 360,000 people since 2011, involves rebel factions, supported by Turkey, fighting against the Russia-backed Assad regime. Just last month, Mr Erdogan and Mr Putin agreed to set up a buffer zone running 15-20 km into rebel territory that had to be evacuated of all heavy weapons and all jihadist fighters. Speaking following today's talks, French President Emmanuel Macron said the international community would be watching to ensure both Russia and Turkey make good on their agreement. He said: "We will all be extremely vigilant to ensure that these commitments are met and that the ceasefire is stable and sustainable." Turkey and Russia had previously met to discuss a possible solution to end the war but were unable to reach an agreement.

The four leaders met to discuss the crisis in Syria

Today's meeting, however, has been particularly relevant because it marks the first-ever Syria summit gathering Mr Putin and Mr Erdogan in the same room with the two most influential leaders of the European Union - Mr Macron and Mrs Merkel. The Syria envoy for the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, who is stepping down at the end of next month for family reasons, also took part in the talks. During the face-to-face meeting, the leaders focussed their discussions on the fate of Idlib, the last stronghold of the rebel militia in Syria. The area was home to about three million people, more than half of whom have already fled other areas as government forces advanced.

Angela Merkel said steps must be taken to allow free elections in Syria

Turkey's President Erdogan said Syrians should decide the future of Assad

Shelling in Idlib killed at least seven civilians on Friday, the largest one-day loss of life there since Russian air strikes stopped in mid-August, Reuters wrote. Despite the participants said to be willing to find a solution to the devastating conflict, they played down hopes they will be able to agree on a long-term solution for the war-stricken area. The Elysee said on Friday the expectation were "modest", while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asked to be "realistic" over what can be achieved during one summit. He added that everyone attending the meeting desires a political settlement in Syria. But “certain disagreements may exist regarding the instruments and tactics”, which could get in the middle of the negotiations.

The four leaders and their staff in Istanbul

Emmanuel Macron landed in Istanbul earlier this morning

Mr Peskov continued: “The issue of the day is to reconcile different formats in order to synchronise our watches, to negotiate, and to attempt to identify common topics." Leaders have spoken with each others on the phone ahead of the face-to-face meeting, as revealed by Mr Peskov, who said Mr Putin had already spoken on the phone with both Mr Macron and Mr Erdogan about Syria in the run up to the summit. Two major players in the conflict in Syria are absent, the US and Iran. However, Mr Macron said he briefed US President Donald Trump on strategy this week.

Mr Erdogan, Mrs Merkel, Mr Putin and Mr Macron walk in the garden of the Vahdettin Mansion, Istanbum