Assad discusses Syrian constitutional committee with Russian delegation

Syrian President Bashar Assad has discussed the current state of affairs in Syria and the soonest launch of the constitutional committee with Russian Presidential Special Representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergeн Vershinin, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"During the talks, [they] considered in detail the unfolding situation in Syria and in the region," the foreign ministry said. "Particular attention was paid to a goal of the soonest formation and launch of the constitutional committee in line with decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress and Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council," the ministry added.

On January 30, the Syrian National Dialogue Congress, held in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, agreed to set up a constitutional committee that will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for Syria. The government and opposition have submitted lists of delegates to the committee. However, the sides failed to agree on a list of independent candidated who are to gain one third of seats in the committee.