AP � The presidents of Russia and Turkey are meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi in a bid to find a diplomatic resolution to the crisis around a rebel-held region in Syria.

The province of Idlib in northwestern Syria is the largest bastion of the opposition, and Turkey has been eager to prevent a potential government offensive there.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin for the second time in just 10 days after Russia and Iran expressed support for the idea of an offensive.

Russia calls Idlib a hotbed of terrorism and says the Syrian government has the right to retake control of it. Turkey has appealed for a diplomatic solution and sent troops to the area to ward off the assault.