(Photo: CGTN)

The presidents of Iran, Russia, and Turkey on Friday agreed to work within a "spirit of cooperation" to try to stabilize the situation in Syria's Idlib after the trilateral summit in Tehran seeking common ground in resolving the Syrian crisis, a joint statement said. 

Rouhani: US presence in Syria adds to problems

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the US should stop its "illegal" presence in Syria and leave the country.

Washington's negative and unconstructive role in Syria and its support to the occupation of Israel in the region only add to the Syrian problems, Rouhani added.

Speaking of the operation in Idlib, the president believed it is part of the fight against terrorism, and "there is no other way but fighting against terrorism."

Struggle against terrorism in Idlib would be continued, Rouhani said, adding that the civilians there should be protected from bloodshed either.

Putin: Damascus has right to take back all its territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin opposed a ceasefire in the rebel-held Syrian enclave of Idlib, calling for a political settlement in the region.

The Russian leader said the key task is to rid Idlib of militants, urging Iran and Turkey to ramp up their coordination with Russia of their countries' foreign and defense ministries and security services.

Noting terrorists are making attempts to disrupt the ceasefire, Putin told his Iranian and Turkish counterparts that they should "solve this problem together" as terrorists "are carrying out and preparing all sorts of provocations, including using chemical weapons."

Erdogan: We never want Idlib to turn into a bloodbath

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan warned of a "bloodbath" in Syria's last rebel-held bastion of Idlib, calling for a "ceasefire" in the region after Russian air raids pounded rebel positions.

"We never want Idlib to turn into a bloodbath," he told the three-way summit with his Iranian and Russian counterparts.

The president said there is a great benefit to reaching a ceasefire in Idlib, and accused the US of supporting terrorist organizations in Syria.

"If we can ensure a ceasefire here, this will be one of the most important steps of the summit, it will seriously put civilians at ease," Erdogan added.

The three leaders are expected to determine the future of Idlib amid growing fears of a humanitarian disaster.