Russia, Iran and Turkey meet in Doha

In Doha, the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey have met on the sidelines of a conference to discuss the situation in Syria.

Russia and Iran are Assad's two greatest backers, and their intervention in the conflict appeared to have won the Syrian president the war. Until now.

Today, Sergei Lavrov and Abbas Araghchi, the foreign ministers of Russia and Iran, are calling for dialogue with the Syrian opposition.

"The most important thing is to start political talks between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups," Araghchi said after meeting Lavrov and Turkey's Hakan Fidan.

His words echoed comments made earlier by Lavrov, who said: "We will oppose this in every possible way, we will support the legitimate Syrian authorities. And at the same time, of course, we will actively promote the need to resume dialogue with the opposition."

Turkey hosts many Syrian opposition figures and is supportive of the rebel advance.