Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must quickly step down from power as part of a political transition in the crisis-hit country.

Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must quickly step down from power as part of a political transition in the crisis-hit country.

The Saudi diplomat told journalists in Moscow his country's position on Assad "has not changed" and that Syrian leader “should leave, as soon as the transition period start.”

Jubeir is in Moscow to participate in a ministerial meeting between the representatives of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Russia.

During his visit, Jubeir also met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss the conflict in Syria.

The Saudi official voiced opposition to Moscow’s stance that those attending Geneva peace talks "must truly represent" the Syrian nation.

“I would also like to say that we disagree with the position of Russia on the issue of members of the delegation at the Syrian talks.

"We believe that the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people at the talks should be the Riyadh Group,” said Jubeir, referring to the Saudi-based opposition, called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC).

Lavrov, for his part, underscored that “the fate of Syria should only be determined by the Syrian people,” stressing that elections should take place “under strict and close international control.”