(CNN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reignited a war of words with the president of neighboring Syria, calling him a "terrorist" who has no place in negotiations over the country's future. On Wednesday, Erdogan said it was "absolutely impossible" to move ahead on Syrian peace talks while Assad remains in power, according to Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu. The US has also said a peaceful solution in Syria is not possible while Assad remains in power. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad for the first since 2015 in the same Russian city to discuss the future of Syria. Assad has ruled Syria as President since July 2000.

Source: CNN December 28, 2017 08:03 UTC