Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for restraint in the escalating crisis between Iran and the United States, following a meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday. 

"We believe that exchange of attacks and use of force by any party do not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a joint statement. 

"We express our commitment to de-escalate the existing tensions in the region and call on all parties to act with restraint as well as commonsense and to prioritize diplomacy," the statement said.

Iran fired rockets on military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday, calling it an act of retaliation for the January 3 U.S. strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

After the attack, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised address that Iran "slapped them (Americans) on the face last night," calling for an end to U.S. presence in the heated region.

'Immediate ceasefire'

The two leaders also urged for "an immediate ceasefire" in Libya and called for necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground.

Libya has been torn by a raging civil war between the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and the Libyan National Army and its allies based in the east.

On Sunday (January 5), Erdogan said Turkey was "gradually" sending troops to Libya under a deal inked with the GNA. Erdogan said there are 2,500 Russian mercenaries supporting renegade strongman Khalifa Haftar – a claim denied by Moscow.

After Wednesday's meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the two leaders urged to establish a ceasefire in Libya starting midnight on January 12.

"I would like to emphasize the appeal that President Putin and President Erdogan addressed to all the Libyan parties: immediately cease hostilities, and declare a ceasefire from 00:00 on January 12, 2020, i.e. Saturday night to Sunday," Lavrov said.

"The foreign ministers and the defense ministers of Russia and Turkey were instructed to continue contacts in the coming days in order to advance the approaches outlined above for the Libyan crisis," he added.

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Why is the TurkStream gas pipeline causing a fuss?

Earlier on Wednesday, Putin and Erdogan inaugurated the TurkStream pipelines, which will deliver Russian gas to Turkey and Europe via the Black Sea. Erdogan described it as a "project of historic importance," while Putin noted the strengthening "partnership of Russia and Turkey in all domains." 

The ceasefire should be sustainable and "supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground and normalizing daily life in Tripoli and other cities," the statement said.

Potential powder-keg

The two countries have established a regular dialogue over the Syrian conflict, despite being on opposing sides, but had appeared to be on a fresh collision course over Libya.

Putin arrived late on Tuesday after paying a surprise visit to Syria and he held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The issue remains a potential powder-keg for Erdogan and Putin's relationship. 

The Syrian government forces – backed by Russia – have taken control most of regions held by the rebels. The war in Syria sent hundreds of thousands fleeing towards the Turkish border.

Erdogan has called for a truce in Syria's Idlib – the country's last rebel-stronghold region, following previous temporary halts to the fighting brokered with Russia in late 2018 and updated in August last year.

On Wednesday, the two countries remained at odds over the offensive of the Syrian government forces on Idlib, but they reiterated their commitment to the preservation of sovereignty, independence, political unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

(With input from Xinhua, AFP)

(Cover: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talk after they symbolically open a valve during a ceremony in Istanbul for the inauguration of the TurkStream pipeline, January 8, 2020. /AP Photo)